Cricholic
An upset unfolded at Eden Gardens as Chennai Super Kings, already out of playoff contention, handed defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders a dramatic two-wicket loss. While chasing a challenging target of 180 — something CSK hadn’t accomplished since 2019 — they delivered a gritty performance.
Although their season has been turbulent, this marked their third victory, one that might affect the playoff race. Dewald Brevis’ blazing knock and MS Dhoni’s classic finisher’s touch sealed the win with just two balls to spare.
🏏 KKR Innings Breakdown
✅ PowerPlay Highlights – No Sign of the Upset Yet
Score: 67/1 (RR: 11.17)
Key Players: Ajinkya Rahane – 29 (14), Sunil Narine – 21 (13)
KKR opted to bat first and immediately seized momentum. Rahane, although nervy at the start, quickly settled in. Moreover, Sunil Narine launched a brief counterattack, punishing Ashwin with a flurry of boundaries.
Despite an early setback when Gurbaz fell, Rahane and Narine added urgency to the innings. As a result, CSK’s bowlers were forced on the defensive, giving KKR an excellent launchpad.
🔄 Middle Overs – Spin Begins the Upset
Score: 57/3 (RR: 6.33)
Turning Point: Noor Ahmad & Dhoni masterclass
However, momentum shifted swiftly in the middle overs. Noor Ahmad turned the game with tight lines and sharp turn. Notably, Dhoni played a crucial role, stumping Narine and catching Raghuvanshi in the same over. Consequently, KKR lost rhythm.
Furthermore, Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Rahane with a clever variation, becoming CSK’s highest wicket-taker in IPL history. This phase heavily restricted KKR’s scoring rate and was where CSK laid the groundwork for the upset.
💥 Death Overs – Russell Responds, but the Upset Brews
Score: 55/2 (RR: 11.00)
Key Hits: Andre Russell – 38 (21)
Despite losing momentum, KKR had a powerful finisher in Russell. He targeted Pathirana and Jadeja with precision. Additionally, Manish Pandey and Rinku Singh added valuable runs, although their impact was limited.
Even so, Noor Ahmad returned and removed both Russell and Rinku, finishing with figures of 4 for 31. Pathirana then bowled a clinical final over, meaning CSK needed 180 — a score they hadn’t chased in six years. The upset was still just an idea.
🟡 CSK Innings Breakdown
⚡ PowerPlay – Urvil’s Fireworks Hide the Collapse
Score: 62/5 (RR: 10.33)
Highlight: Urvil Patel – 33 (11)
In response, debutant Urvil Patel made an instant impression. With four sixes in a mere 11 balls, he seemed to tilt the balance. Nevertheless, CSK soon collapsed.
Ayush Mhatre, Devon Conway, and Jadeja fell in quick succession. Moreover, Ashwin’s experiment at No. 4 failed. While CSK were ahead on the scoreboard after six overs, they were significantly behind in terms of wickets — making the upset unlikely at that point.
💪 Middle Overs – Brevis Ignites the Upset
Score: 78/1 (RR: 8.67)
Match-Changer: Dewald Brevis – 52 (25)
Eventually, Dewald Brevis turned the tide. Initially, he tackled Narine with caution. But once settled, he went after Arora mercilessly. A dropped catch early in the 11th over cost KKR dearly — the resulting six sparked a flurry.
In fact, a 30-run over followed, shrinking the required run rate dramatically. Though Brevis was dismissed soon after his fifty, he had shifted momentum entirely. Therefore, CSK needed just 40 from the final five overs — and the upset was truly alive.
🧊 Death Overs – Dhoni and Dube Finalize the Upset
Score: 43/2 (RR: 8.60)
Finishers: Shivam Dube – 45 (40), MS Dhoni – 6* (1)
With Dube anchoring one end, CSK steadily chipped away. Even though boundaries dried up temporarily, KKR couldn’t build pressure. When Dube cleared the ropes in the 17th and 18th overs, the chase was nearly complete.
However, Vaibhav Arora produced a breakthrough in the 19th over by removing Dube. Consequently, CSK needed 8 runs off the final six balls.
Then came the finisher. Dhoni muscled a full toss for six off Russell’s first ball, silencing the Eden crowd. Soon after, Kamboj hit the winning runs — confirming one of the biggest upsets of IPL 2025.
📊 Where Was the Upset Won? Middle Overs Comparison
| Phase | KKR | CSK |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 57/3 | 78/1 |
| Run Rate | 6.33 | 8.67 |
| 4s/6s | 11/2 | 5/5 |
| Impact | ❌ Collapse | ✅ Brevis Blitz |
Undoubtedly, the middle overs made the difference. While KKR stagnated, CSK flourished. As a result, the stage was set for a historic upset.
📅 What’s Next for Both Teams?
- KKR travel to Hyderabad for a showdown with Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 10.
- CSK, despite being out of the race, will look to finish on a high at home against Rajasthan Royals on May 12.
📝 Brief Scores
Kolkata Knight Riders: 179/6 (Rahane 48, Russell 38 | Noor Ahmad 4/31)
Chennai Super Kings: 183/8 (Brevis 52, Dube 45 | Varun Chakaravarthy 2/18)
➡️ CSK won by 2 wickets
