IPL 2025: KKR vs CSK Today Match Results: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) notched up a hard-fought two-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to play a spoilsport in defending champions' playoff hopes.
Riding on Ajinkya Rahane's 33-ball 48 KKR managed to post 179/6 on the board, thanks to Noor Ahmed's brilliant four-fer. In reply, CSK huffed and puffed to a two-wicket win as they chased down the target with two balls to spare, courtesy to Dewald Brevis 25-ball 52, Shivam Dube's 40-ball 45 and Urvil Patel's 11-ball 31.
This was CSK's third win in the ongoing season as they continue to bit dust at the bottom of the standings despite the win. Meanwhile, KKR's playoff chances are all but over as they are reeling at sixth spot in the IPL 2025 points table with just 11 points in 12 matches. Even if they win both of their remaining matches, they can only get to 15 points, which don't fully guarantee a spot in the playoffs.
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
Earlier left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad delivered a magical spell, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs. His spell was instrumental in restricting KKR to a total of 179/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
On a pitch that offered slow conditions, KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane led the scoring with a well-paced 48 runs off 33 deliveries. He received valuable contributions from Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who chipped in with 38 and 26 runs respectively. However, CSK's spin attack, spearheaded by Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and the impressive four-wicket haul from Noor Ahmad, effectively squeezed the KKR batsmen, ensuring they fell just short of the 180-run mark.
Opting to bat first, KKR's innings began with Rahmanullah Gurbaz hitting a boundary and a six before being caught out at midwicket off the bowling of Anshul Kamboj. Rahane then entered and quickly struck three boundaries, followed by Sunil Narine hitting him for three fours and a six during the powerplay, which KKR concluded with a score of 67 for the loss of one wicket.
However, shortly after the powerplay, Narine attempted a big shot but was deceived by Noor Ahmad's delivery, allowing MS Dhoni to swiftly remove the bails for a stumping. Narine was dismissed for 26 runs off 17 balls. Noor continued his impressive spell by then dismissing Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was caught behind by Dhoni off a superb googly. As a result of CSK's tight spin bowling, KKR failed to hit a single boundary between overs 7 and 10.
Looking to accelerate against Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane attempted a reverse sweep but was caught at backward point for 48 runs off 33 balls. Andre Russell then came in and attacked Jadeja, hitting him for two fours and a six, before following up with a four and a six each off Matheesha Pathirana. Russell also targeted Noor Ahmad, hitting him for a six and a four, before the spinner eventually had the big-hitting batter caught out for 38 runs off 21 balls. In the final over of the innings, Noor Ahmad completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Rinku Singh, who pulled a delivery straight to deep backward square leg. Matheesha Pathirana then bowled a tight final over, conceding only six singles. Overall, CSK's spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor bowled a combined 11 overs, conceding just 84 runs and taking 5 wickets, while Manish Pandey remained unbeaten for KKR on 36 runs off 28 balls.