IPL 2025: Thala is Back! Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – A Clash of Champions at Chepauk!
There’s electricity in the air and excitement among fans like never before — why, you ask? Because ‘Thala’ MS Dhoni is officially back as captain of the Chennai Super Kings! Yep, the man with the Midas touch is donning the captain’s hat again, and this time under rather unexpected circumstances.
As CSK fans say, “Thala dhoni irukraar… appadiye match vera level-a pogum!” And honestly, they aren’t wrong. The moment Dhoni is back in charge, you can feel something magical in the atmosphere. And with the match set against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Chennai’s iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), the excitement has just gone through the roof.
📍 Match Details at a Glance:
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Match: CSK vs KKR – Match No. 26, IPL 2025
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Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
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Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
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Time: Match starts at 7:30 PM IST, toss at 7:00 PM IST
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Watch Live on TV: Star Sports Network
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Free Streaming: JioCinema & Disney+ Hotstar App and Website (no subscription needed!)
💥 What’s the Big Buzz?
The biggest talking point — and honestly, the most emotional one for CSK fans — is the return of Dhoni as captain, not just for a match or two, but for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. Yes, you read that right.
During the pre-match press conference, head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed this shift in leadership after the current CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to an unfortunate elbow fracture.
“We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL,” Fleming said with a smile, fully aware of the energy this move would bring to the dressing room and the stands alike.
And here’s an interesting fact: Dhoni is now technically the first ‘uncapped’ player to lead an IPL team, as he was retained for just ₹4 crore during the 2025 mega auction. Imagine the GOAT being called uncapped! Only in the world of MS Dhoni, yaar!
😢 What Happened to Ruturaj?
Gaikwad’s absence is a serious blow to CSK. The stylish right-hander had been trying to soldier on after taking a hit to his elbow during the March 30 game against Rajasthan Royals. The delivery from Jofra Archer struck him hard, but being the fighter he is, Ruturaj continued playing two more matches despite pain.
However, a recent MRI scan revealed a fracture in the radial neck of his elbow, which has now ruled him out for the rest of the tournament. “He’s been playing through pain, but we had to prioritise his health,” added Fleming.
It’s unfortunate, but one man’s injury becomes another’s opportunity — or in this case, a legend’s glorious return.
🟡 CSK’s Current Form – Not So Super…
Let’s not sugarcoat it — CSK is struggling this season. With just 1 win in their first 5 matches, they are right at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table. This is a rare sight for a franchise as decorated as Chennai Super Kings. The bowling has been patchy, the batting hasn’t clicked as a unit, and fielding has lacked energy.
But with Dhoni at the helm, things could flip around — we've seen it happen before. Remember 2018? Everyone wrote them off. They came back and lifted the trophy. So, never count CSK out, especially when Captain Cool is calling the shots.
🟣 KKR – Riding a Mixed Wave
The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders haven’t exactly had a dream run either. With 2 wins out of 5 games, they’re not far ahead of CSK in the standings. However, the squad does have firepower.
Players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh have shown flashes of brilliance. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi is one to watch out for, and veteran Ajinkya Rahane is leading the side with calm composure. The question is — can they handle the pressure of a roaring Chepauk crowd?
🔥 Possible X-Factors – Who Can Light Up the Game?
For CSK:
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MS Dhoni (Captain, Wicketkeeper) – It’s his first game as skipper after nearly two years. Expect fireworks and crazy crowd chants!
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Shivam Dube – The big-hitter has been among runs and could be lethal against spinners.
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Ravindra Jadeja – Always a match-winner, especially at Chepauk.
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Rachin Ravindra – Newbie with serious potential at the top of the order.
For KKR:
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Sunil Narine – Dangerous with both bat and ball.
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Andre Russell – Game-changer on his day. CSK bowlers beware.
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Quinton de Kock – Aggressive opener who can take the game away quickly.
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Varun Chakravarthy – Mystery spinner could be key on Chennai's slow pitch.
🧠 Predicted Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings:
Rahul Tripathi, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c, wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali/Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
🎯 What’s at Stake?
For CSK — it’s not just about climbing the table. It’s about reviving belief, energy, and unity. And what better way than having Dhoni lead them out in their fortress?
For KKR — it’s about cementing their place in the top half and making sure they stay in contention for playoffs.
This isn’t just another IPL match — this is emotion, rivalry, comeback, and legacy — all in one showdown!
❤️ Final Word: Get Ready, Chennai!
If you're lucky enough to be at Chepauk on Friday night, soak it all in — the drums, the whistles, the chants of “Dhoni Dhoni” — because it’s not every day that you see a living legend return home.
And if you're watching from home, grab your snacks and brace yourself for a blockbuster, because when MS Dhoni walks out in yellow, the entire cricketing world stops and watches.
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