Chennai: Chennai Super Kings, reeling from four consecutive defeats, will seek to revive their IPL 2025 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk, where their traditional home advantage is under threat.
With just one win from five matches, the five-time champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory, languishing at ninth place on the points table. Their famed fortress at the MA Chidambaram Stadium has already been breached twice this season, and another slip-up could deepen the crisis in CSK's camp.
The side has been struggling to find the right balance, with the top order failing to fire in tandem and the bowling attack unable to apply pressure in key moments. While Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra have shown flashes of form, CSK’s cautious powerplay approach has hurt their ability to set or chase competitive totals. Middle-order contributions from Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni have offered brief respite, but the lack of consistent firepower remains a concern.
On the bowling front, Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad have been standout performers, picking up 10 and 11 wickets respectively, but experienced campaigners like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are yet to stamp their authority on slow, turning tracks.
Kolkata, meanwhile, have been patchy themselves but come into the contest on the back of a spirited performance despite a narrow four-run loss to Rajasthan. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s fluent 61, along with late-order fireworks from Rinku Singh and the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, keep them in good stead for a surface like Chepauk’s.
KKR have traditionally struggled in Chennai, with just three wins in 11 matches at the venue. However, the slow surface, combined with CSK’s recent home losses, may present the visitors with their best opportunity in years to tilt the record.
A first-innings score around 170-180 is likely to be par, and the toss could once again prove crucial, with chasing becoming increasingly difficult under lights.
With both teams desperate for points and confidence, Friday’s clash promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with much more than just two points on the line for the Super Kings.
Dhoni returns back as CSK skipper, injured Ruturaj to miss rest of IPL
Talismanic M S Dhoni, who had guided Chennai Super Kings (CKS) to a record five IPL titles, has been re-appointed as the team's captain on Thursday evening after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to an injury.
He returns back at the helm of CSK team after a gap of two years. This was announced by Head Coach Stephen Fleming ahead of match against KKR.
CSK is now languishing in the ninth spot in the points table.
Dhoni was re-appointed as Captain following an injury to present skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who took over the mantle from his illustrious captain last year.
However, an injury to Ruturaj in the last match, has ruled him out for the rest of the IPL.
After Dhoni, who led the team right from its inception, it was briefly led by Ravindra Jadeja before Ruturaj Gaikwad was made the skipper.
Dhoni is returning as captain at a crucial stage as CSK had lost four of its five matches in the present edition and needs to seek redemption in the coming matches to keep its chances of qualifying for the play offs alive.
Dhoni will be leading against defending champions KKR in CSK's fourth home match on Friday.
