Former India opener Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing assault on the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) following their crushing eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) within the IPL 2025 conflict on the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 11.
Virender Sehwag slams MS Dhoni and Co. for his or her efficiency in opposition to KKR
Recognized for his blunt evaluation, Sehwag questioned the group’s batting method and dismissed the importance of captain Dhoni’s potential influence, even when he hadn’t been dismissed cheaply.
The match marked a disastrous return to captaincy for Dhoni, who stepped in after Ruturaj Gaikwad was dominated out of the match with an elbow fracture. Requested to bat after KKR gained the toss, CSK crumbled below strain, posting a paltry 103/9 of their allotted 20 overs. This marked their lowest-ever whole at residence, Chepauk Stadium, and their third-lowest rating in IPL historical past. KKR’s spin assault, led by Sunil Narine (3/13) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/18), ran riot via the CSK batting lineup.
The Knight Riders comfortably reached the end line, storming to 107/2 in simply 10.1 overs. All-rounder Sunil Narine performed an explosive knock of 44 in simply 18 deliveries. The embarrassing defeat handed CSK their fifth consecutive loss in IPL 2025 and their third straight defeat at residence.
Within the post-match evaluation for Star Sports activities India, Sehwag didn’t mince phrases when requested if Dhoni, who got here in at No. 9 and scored simply 1 run earlier than being given out LBW, might have salvaged the innings had he batted until the tip.
“I don’t suppose so,” Sehwag said bluntly. “If he didn’t get out, they might’ve scored a most of 130. KKR chased this goal down in 10.1 overs. We might be coming stay [for the post-match show] at 11:30 pm as an alternative. That may’ve been the one distinction.”
The defeat leaves the five-time champions reeling at ninth place within the factors desk with only one win from their opening matches.
Dhoni’s comment on CSK’s one-sided defeat
Dhoni himself acknowledged the group’s struggles post-match, stating, “I believe it’s fairly just a few nights haven’t gone our approach.”
“What’s vital is to look deep down inside. I really feel the problem was there. But it surely’s vital to simply accept that problem, determine methods the way you’ll deal with the troublesome deliveries, after which look to get runs on the board. In the present day, I felt we didn’t actually have sufficient runs on the board,” the CSK skipper added.
Whereas Dhoni pointed in the direction of the necessity for higher software and adapting to circumstances, Sehwag’s harsh critique focuses on the group’s lack of ability to put up aggressive totals and questions whether or not the ageing skipper, batting decrease down the order, can actually affect outcomes as he as soon as did. As CSK seek for solutions amid a traditionally poor run, the unforgiving evaluation from one in all cricket’s most outspoken analysts provides additional strain on the beleaguered Yellow Military.
