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 towards KKR
Recognized for his blunt evaluation, Sehwag questioned the workforce’s batting method and dismissed the importance of captain Dhoni’s potential impression, 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 event with an elbow fracture. Requested to bat after KKR received the toss, CSK crumbled underneath strain, posting a paltry 103/9 of their allotted 20 overs. This marked their lowest-ever whole at house, 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 house.
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 assume so,” Sehwag acknowledged 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 might’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 workforce’s struggles post-match, stating, “I feel it’s fairly a number of nights haven’t gone our manner.”
“What’s vital is to look deep down inside. I really feel the problem was there. However it’s vital to simply accept that problem, work out methods the way you’ll sort out the tough 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 utility and adapting to circumstances, Sehwag’s harsh critique focuses on the workforce’s incapacity to put up aggressive totals and questions whether or not the ageing skipper, batting decrease down the order, can really affect outcomes as he as soon as did. As CSK seek for solutions amid a traditionally poor run, the unforgiving evaluation from considered one of cricket’s most outspoken analysts provides additional strain on the beleaguered Yellow Military.
