IPL 2025: MS Dhoni not only led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their first win after four-match losing streak with 2-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) but also addressed the talks around his his IPL retirement.
CSK finally returned to winning ways by defeating in a closely contested match at Eden Gardens on May 7. CSK successfully chased down the target of 180 runs with just two balls and two wickets and as many balls remaining. Dewald Brevis played a scintillating innings, top-scoring with 52 runs off a mere 25 balls, which included an explosive 30-run over featuring three fours and three sixes. Shivam Dube also chipped in with crucial 45 runs, hitting two fours and three sixes. Debutant Urvil Patel provided CSK with a fiery start, scoring 31 runs off just 11 balls, including four sixes. However, CSK suffered a batting, losing five wickets within the powerplay before the crucial rebuilding partnership between Brevis and Dube. Captain MS Dhoni contributed an unbeaten 17 runs to guide his team to victory. For KKR, Vaibhav Arora was the most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs, while Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy each took two wickets.
Earlier in the match, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, KKR posted a total of 179 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Captain Ajinkya Rahane led the scoring with 48 runs, while Andre Russell contributed 38 runs, and Manish Pandey remained unbeaten on 36 runs. For Chennai Super Kings, Noor Ahmed was the standout bowler, taking four wickets, while Anshul Kamboj and Ravindra Jadeja each accounted for one dismissal.
MS Dhoni breaks silence on talks around his IPL retirement
Right after the match CSK captain MS broke his silence on all the speculations around his IPL retirement. The speculations were rife that the match against KKR will be his last appearance in the IPL. However, Dhoni made it clear that as soon as the IPL 2025 gets over, he wants to work hard and give himself another 6-8 months and figure out whether his body is ready to bear the rigours of cricket.
"A lot of them don't know when it is going to be my last time (smiles), so they want to come and see me play. There is no escaping the fact (that I am in the last phase of my career). After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6-8 months to see if my body can take this pressure. Nothing to decide now but the love and affection I have seen is excellent," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
While talking about the match, Dhoni said:
"(On the emotions after winning a few games) Few? This is just the third game we have won (laughs). There were a few things that did not go our way. You could get emotional about it, talk about the pride factor but you have to be practical about it. just concentrating about where the 25 players could fit. Want to be competitive but you also want answers - which batter can fit where, which bowler can bowl where, according to the conditions and all. When we started, hardly anyone was scoring. Good to see the batters have intent, important to back yourself and play the shots that you think are your shots. These are the players that are part of our squad right now, so we have an opportunity to test them. We are out of the tournament, so you give them a chance, see how they react. It is the approach, the mental toughness that you want to check. The most technically-correct batter does not always score the runs, if you have good awareness…there is a chance to be consistent."
"Thanks to Brevis, he gave us that luxury (to take it deep). Did not want to give wickets to Sunil and Varun. It was holding for the spinners, but for the pacers, it was not that great and difficult for them to get away. Not to forget that I was the last batter, the tension becomes a lot (if I get out), so rotating strike (gets tougher). He (Dube) got two or three sixes and that brings the run-rate down. (On the crowd support) That is the love and affection I have gotten throughout. Not to forget I am 42 - I have played a long time. A lot of them don't know when it is going to be my last time (smiles), so they want to come and see me play. There is no escaping the fact (that I am in the last phase of my career). After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6-8 months to see if my body can take this pressure. Nothing to decide now but the love and affection I have seen is excellent," Dhoni concluded.
CSK will next face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 12 at the Chepauk stadium while KKR will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 10 at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium