IPL 2025
Dewald Brevis hit a 25-ball 52 © Sportzpics
Kolkata Knight Riders faced a significant setback in their IPL title defense after losing to the already-eliminated Chennai Super Kings by two wickets at Eden Gardens. This defeat marked CSK’s first successful chase of 180 runs or more since 2019, and just their third win of a challenging season.
Noor Ahmad played a crucial role by taking 4 wickets for 31 runs, helping restrict KKR to 179 runs despite a late push from Andre Russell. CSK’s innings began shakily following a dismal PowerPlay, but Dewald Brevis energized the chase with an explosive 25-ball 52. Shivam Dube steadied the innings, and MS Dhoni finished the game with a six in the last over, securing a tense victory with two wickets remaining.
Key Turning Point
The game shifted during the middle overs. Both teams matched each other in the PowerPlay, scoring 67 and 62 runs respectively. However, CSK’s spin bowlers managed to slow down KKR’s momentum, while Brevis’s aggressive play allowed CSK to recover from a shaky start, amassing 78 runs during the middle overs, including a significant 30-run over against Vaibhav Arora.
Kolkata Knight Riders: PowerPlay Insight
The early phase saw KKR scoring 67 runs for 1 wicket, with Ajinkya Rahane contributing a brisk 29 off 14 balls. He capitalized on a dropped catch and maintained pressure on CSK, setting a strong foundation for KKR’s innings.
Chennai Super Kings: Middle Overs and Finishing Touches
CSK started poorly, losing five wickets in quick succession, but a standout performance from Dewald Brevis reignited their chase. He struck quickly, transforming the game’s dynamics with a rapid-fire half-century. CSK’s late order, led by Dube and Dhoni, executed the final overs expertly to clinch the win, highlighting both teams’ resilience as they head into their next matches.
