Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Suresh Raina has hit out at his former franchise for the lackluster performance in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. CSK are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just two wins in eight games and six losses to go with.
"This is the weakest CSK team, definitely. I think there's no intent. The hunger to win is not there. Not to disrespect anyone, but the brand that CSK is known for, that's not there now," Raina said in a chat with former India teammate Harbhajan Singh while talking on his Instagram.
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"Look at how local players who have played in TNPL are doing. B Sai Sudharsan is doing well, he is playing for Gujarat Titans. R Sai Kishore and Shahrukh Khan are also playing for GT. You have to bring local players," he said.
"When we were winning, we had the likes of Murali Vijay, L Balaji, S Badrinath, myself, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. When you don't bring local flavour, it doesn't work," Raina added.
The former player also pointed out that CSK are playing a lot of dot balls and are doing badly in terms of strike rotation. He suggested the franchise players to show intent and play basic cricket like them.
"When we played in Chennai, we were not playing dot balls. Strike rotation wins matches. We played proper basic cricket. In the first six overs, we showed intent. And in the death, there were the likes of MS Dhoni and Albie Morkel. They used to play cameos. Because of all these, we were winning," Raina said.
CSK are also without their regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who is out for the season due to injury after playing first few matches. MS Dhoni, under whom CSK won five IPL titles, is at helm for now but failing to recreate his magic.

Raina also pointed out that CSK, which have two wins and six losses in eight games, are playing a lot of dot balls and are doing badly in terms of strike rotation. Cricket sports

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Suresh Raina has hit out at his former franchise for the lackluster performance in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. CSK are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just two wins in eight games and six losses to go with. "This is the weakest CSK team, definitely. I think there's no intent. The hunger to win is not there. Not to disrespect anyone, but the brand that CSK is known for, that's not there now," Raina said in a chat with former India teammate Harbhajan Singh while talking on his Instagram. Also Read - 'Justice to be served for this,' Virat Kohli, others react to Pahalgam terror attack "Look at how local players who have played in TNPL are doing. B Sai Sudharsan is doing well, he is playing for Gujarat Titans. R Sai Kishore and Shahrukh Khan are also playing for GT. You have to bring local players," he said. "When we were winning, we had the likes of Murali Vijay, L Balaji, S Badrinath, myself, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. When you don't bring local flavour, it doesn't work," Raina added. The former player also pointed out that CSK are playing a lot of dot balls and are doing badly in terms of strike rotation. He suggested the franchise players to show intent and play basic cricket like them. "When we played in Chennai, we were not playing dot balls. Strike rotation wins matches. We played proper basic cricket. In the first six overs, we showed intent. And in the death, there were the likes of MS Dhoni and Albie Morkel. They used to play cameos. Because of all these, we were winning," Raina said. CSK are also without their regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who is out for the season due to injury after playing first few matches. MS Dhoni, under whom CSK won five IPL titles, is at helm for now but failing to recreate his magic.

IPL 2025 | 'When we played in Chennai...,' former player tags current squad as 'weakest CSK team'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings-csk" rel="dofollow">Chennai Super Kings (CSK)</a> are languishing at the bottom of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a> points table with just two wins from eight contested matches, but their captain, MS Dhoni, hasn&rsquo;t lost hope of a miraculous turnaround this season. During the away Mumbai Indians (MI) game at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-no-merry-for-ms-dhoni-in-mumbai-indians-thrash-csk-at-wankhede-by-nine-wickets-rohit-sharma-suryakumar-yadav-bumrah-8983486" rel="dofollow">CSK never looked in the game, going down by an embarrassing nine wickets</a>.
Dhoni feels CSK must win the remaining six matches to give themselves any chance of an IPL 2025 playoff berth and pick their best XI for the next season. Dhoni said CSK will take each game at a time without thinking too much about the future, but should they fumble their quest this edition, they would aim to set the base for the coming season.&nbsp;
"With all the games in front of us that we are supposed to win, we will just take it one game at a time," Dhoni said after the match. "And if we lose a few, what will be important for us [is] to get the right combination for next year. We don't want too many players getting changed. So I think what will be important is to try and qualify. But if not, get a secured eleven for the next year and come back strong."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2025-cab-seeks-ban-on-harsha-bhogle-simon-doull-from-doing-commentary-at-eden-gardens-report-kkr-pitch-curator-controversy-8985377" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Ban star commentators, demands Bengal cricket body over KKR pitch row - Report</a>
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, 44, addressed his retirement rumours ahead of the 18th edition, saying his body will decide his future in the cash-rich league. With him thinking about preparing the best XI from the current squad for the next season, the chances of him retaining his place increase.
<h2>Fleming, too, is optimistic</h2>
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also addressed the team&rsquo;s dismal performances this season, saying it&rsquo;s not easy to keep everyone motivated after such outcomes. However, like MS Dhoni, he is also not losing hope of turning the tables around this time, saying they are sure the opportunities will come in IPL 2025.&nbsp;
"It's hard, really. It's not when you're playing well below par to get enthusiastic about staying in the competition, but that's what we must do, and yes, there will be an opportunity. Nothing will be wasted during this tournament. We look back at other tournaments that haven't gone our way, and some of the work we have done at the back end of tournaments have set us up for wins in the following year,&rdquo; Fleming said during the post-match presser.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, CSK&rsquo;s next game is against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home next Friday (Apr 25).&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

CSK's MS Dhoni, 44, addressed his retirement rumours ahead of the 18th edition, saying his body will decide his future in the cash-rich league. Sports, Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table with just two wins from eight contested matches, but their captain, MS Dhoni, hasn’t lost hope of a miraculous turnaround this season. During the away Mumbai Indians (MI) game at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, CSK never looked in the game, going down by an embarrassing nine wickets. Dhoni feels CSK must win the remaining six matches to give themselves any chance of an IPL 2025 playoff berth and pick their best XI for the next season. Dhoni said CSK will take each game at a time without thinking too much about the future, but should they fumble their quest this edition, they would aim to set the base for the coming season. "With all the games in front of us that we are supposed to win, we will just take it one game at a time," Dhoni said after the match. "And if we lose a few, what will be important for us [is] to get the right combination for next year. We don't want too many players getting changed. So I think what will be important is to try and qualify. But if not, get a secured eleven for the next year and come back strong." Also read | IPL 2025: Ban star commentators, demands Bengal cricket body over KKR pitch row - Report Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, 44, addressed his retirement rumours ahead of the 18th edition, saying his body will decide his future in the cash-rich league. With him thinking about preparing the best XI from the current squad for the next season, the chances of him retaining his place increase. Fleming, too, is optimistic CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also addressed the team’s dismal performances this season, saying it’s not easy to keep everyone motivated after such outcomes. However, like MS Dhoni, he is also not losing hope of turning the tables around this time, saying they are sure the opportunities will come in IPL 2025. "It's hard, really. It's not when you're playing well below par to get enthusiastic about staying in the competition, but that's what we must do, and yes, there will be an opportunity. Nothing will be wasted during this tournament. We look back at other tournaments that haven't gone our way, and some of the work we have done at the back end of tournaments have set us up for wins in the following year,” Fleming said during the post-match presser. Meanwhile, CSK’s next game is against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home next Friday (Apr 25). (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: CSK captain MS Dhoni is already thinking of getting a right combination for next year

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni" rel="dofollow">MS Dhoni</a>&rsquo;s return to his fortress at the Wankhede Stadium turned horror for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mumbai-indians" rel="dofollow">Mumbai Indians</a> thrashed the visitors by nine wickets, winning their fourth game in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a>. Mumbai climbed to the sixth spot on the points table with four wins in eight contested matches, while CSK remained at the bottom with six losses thus far this edition. Indian pair Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav completed respective fifties during the chase.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9pybj35-65cigo9f-fd6rwip2">
A perfect way to wrap a dominant victory and seal back-to-back home wins 💙<a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mipaltan</a> sign off tonight by winning round 2⃣ against their arch rival 🥳 Scorecard ▶ <a href="https://t.co/v2k7Y5tg2Q">https://t.co/v2k7Y5tg2Q</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIvCSK</a> <a href="https://t.co/u2BDXfHpXJ">pic.twitter.com/u2BDXfHpXJ</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1914010125943333212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
Mumbai Indians won the toss and, as it should be, decided to bowl first, considering the dew factor at the venue. Down on confidence, CSK lost their man in form, Rachin Ravindra, in the fourth over, with two rookie batters, including a debutant, Ayush Mhatre, and his partner Shaik Rasheed, beginning the rebuilding work.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ipl-2025-virat-kohli-krunal-pandya-power-rcb-to-beat-punjab-kings-in-return-leg-enter-top-three-8982952" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Kohli, Krunal power RCB to beat Punjab Kings in return leg, enter top three</a>
Mhatre impressed one and all on his IPL debut, smashing Ashwani Kumar for four and two sixes before opening his arms against Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9pycftj-y2sbhjzy-2j2qezwz">
𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙩 🤩 How about that for a start 🔥 Ayush Mhatre's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> career is up and away in some fashion 💛<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSK</a> 52/1 after 6 overs. Updates ▶ <a href="https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi">https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIvCSK</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChennaiIPL</a> <a href="https://t.co/UVvmdWotvY">pic.twitter.com/UVvmdWotvY</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1913963836400415028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
After adding 41 for the second wicket, he got out to Chahar on 32 off just 15 balls. MI&rsquo;s ace spinner Mitchell Santner removed Rasheed in the next over, putting CSK&rsquo;s back against the wall.&nbsp;
The left-handed pair of Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja picked up the run rate, with Dube taking on the bowlers. Just after completing his fifty, premier MI seamer Jasprit Bumrah removed him before accounting for CSK captain and batting great MS Dhoni, caught at the deep on four.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9pyc688-3wximff7-yez9ff6p">
Not easy to hit him away 🙅&zwj; Jasprit Bumrah is his name 😎 And it's the big wicket of MS Dhoni ☝ Updates ▶ <a href="https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi">https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIvCSK</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaspritbumrah93?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jaspritbumrah93</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mipaltan</a> <a href="https://t.co/xYzkipqEHE">pic.twitter.com/xYzkipqEHE</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1913982908810801195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
Meanwhile, Jadeja completed his fifty in the last over, helping CSK put up 176 for five.
<h2>No stopping MI</h2>
Since winning their last game against Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians look and play like a different team. And what&rsquo;s best? Rohit Sharma is back to form!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9pybw1k-wk359a7u-zfeuez73">
Wankhede stadium is buzzing 🥳 Rohit Sharma is depositing them into the second tiers 🔥 Updates ▶ <a href="https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi">https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIvCSK</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ImRo45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImRo45</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mipaltan</a> <a href="https://t.co/BAFtGG3DB1">pic.twitter.com/BAFtGG3DB1</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1913991160814502041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
The veteran opener looked like his old self, taking all bowlers to the cleaners. He smashed sixes for fun against CSK bowlers, with Suryakumar Yadav tormenting them with utter disdain, mainly their premier spinner, Noor Ahmed.
The pair added 114 runs for the second wicket, with SKY hitting an unbeaten 68 off 30 balls, including five sixes and six fours. On the other hand, Rohit remained not out on 76 off 45 balls, bashing six massive sixes and four boundaries.
MI completed the chase in the 16th over.&nbsp;

Mumbai Indians rose to the sixth spot on the points table with four wins and as many losses in eight contested matches thus far in IPL 2025. Sports, Cricket

MS Dhoni’s return to his fortress at the Wankhede Stadium turned horror for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as Mumbai Indians thrashed the visitors by nine wickets, winning their fourth game in IPL 2025. Mumbai climbed to the sixth spot on the points table with four wins in eight contested matches, while CSK remained at the bottom with six losses thus far this edition. Indian pair Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav completed respective fifties during the chase. A perfect way to wrap a dominant victory and seal back-to-back home wins 💙@mipaltan sign off tonight by winning round 2⃣ against their arch rival 🥳 Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/v2k7Y5tg2Q#TATAIPL | #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/u2BDXfHpXJ — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2025 Mumbai Indians won the toss and, as it should be, decided to bowl first, considering the dew factor at the venue. Down on confidence, CSK lost their man in form, Rachin Ravindra, in the fourth over, with two rookie batters, including a debutant, Ayush Mhatre, and his partner Shaik Rasheed, beginning the rebuilding work. Also read | IPL 2025: Kohli, Krunal power RCB to beat Punjab Kings in return leg, enter top three Mhatre impressed one and all on his IPL debut, smashing Ashwani Kumar for four and two sixes before opening his arms against Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult. 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙩 🤩 How about that for a start 🔥 Ayush Mhatre's #TATAIPL career is up and away in some fashion 💛#CSK 52/1 after 6 overs. Updates ▶ https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi#MIvCSK | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/UVvmdWotvY — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2025 After adding 41 for the second wicket, he got out to Chahar on 32 off just 15 balls. MI’s ace spinner Mitchell Santner removed Rasheed in the next over, putting CSK’s back against the wall. The left-handed pair of Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja picked up the run rate, with Dube taking on the bowlers. Just after completing his fifty, premier MI seamer Jasprit Bumrah removed him before accounting for CSK captain and batting great MS Dhoni, caught at the deep on four. Not easy to hit him away 🙅‍ Jasprit Bumrah is his name 😎 And it's the big wicket of MS Dhoni ☝ Updates ▶ https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi#TATAIPL | #MIvCSK | @Jaspritbumrah93 | @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/xYzkipqEHE — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2025 Meanwhile, Jadeja completed his fifty in the last over, helping CSK put up 176 for five. No stopping MI Since winning their last game against Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians look and play like a different team. And what’s best? Rohit Sharma is back to form! Wankhede stadium is buzzing 🥳 Rohit Sharma is depositing them into the second tiers 🔥 Updates ▶ https://t.co/v2k7Y5sIdi#TATAIPL | #MIvCSK | @ImRo45 | @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/BAFtGG3DB1 — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2025 The veteran opener looked like his old self, taking all bowlers to the cleaners. He smashed sixes for fun against CSK bowlers, with Suryakumar Yadav tormenting them with utter disdain, mainly their premier spinner, Noor Ahmed. The pair added 114 runs for the second wicket, with SKY hitting an unbeaten 68 off 30 balls, including five sixes and six fours. On the other hand, Rohit remained not out on 76 off 45 balls, bashing six massive sixes and four boundaries. MI completed the chase in the 16th over.

No merry for MS Dhoni in Mumbai as hosts thrash CSK at Wankhede by nine wickets

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is nearing the halfway mark with the tournament being more or less a batting friendly edition. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), however, have found it hard to get going and be part of that six-hitting spree.
The other five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have also not been able to win their games but they now have Jasprit Bumrah who is back after suffering a back issue in January earlier this year. It'll be important to manage Bumrah's workload with England Test tour scheduled right after the IPL.
One other name who could make a comeback in Indian team is Karun Nair - he's been sensational in recent times in domestic cricket and scored a brilliant 90-odd in his first IPL innings after three years.
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WION had a chat with former India women's team skipper Anjum Chopra regarding all those things and here's what she had to say:
<h2>What do you think that's been ailing Chennai Super Kings this season?&nbsp;</h2>
Well, obviously they've not been able to finish the matches in their favour and that is the only thing. The matches that they are playing, if they had won, two or three of those matches, they could have won or normally, when the Chennai team plays other than losing, they win. So, we always say that there is experience in that side. But because those matches, they have not ended up as a winning team.
So suddenly, one after another, when the losses happen, you start asking questions. What is happening? Nothing is happening. It's just that that opening combination did not start well for them then the middle order has not been able to capitalise. So, small, small areas which they have been missing out, or in the fielding, or small areas in the bowling. And small areas, we've seen, you miss on those and opportunity arises for the opposition to utilise those areas. And that's how the matches have been getting slipped from their side to the opposition side.&nbsp;
Also, do you feel like Chennai Super Kings do not have as much power hitting options as other teams?
I think the very fact that Shivam Dubey was such a star attraction when he started hitting last season or the year before that as well and he is still doing the same. So, if he is missing anything, is just somebody else hitting at the other end who is also striking the ball like that. The last couple of seasons, Ruturaj has been giving them such good starts. But Ruturaj, change of batting order, then him picking up an injury has not helped. Now, he is batting at three. So, even if you bat at three, it means obviously few deliveries unless you walk in on the second or the third ball of the match. So, everything changes.&nbsp;
They tried changing the opening combination. It didn't work. The effect was that in the middle order also, somebody apart from Shivam was not able to capitalize. And that start was also not helping. So, few areas, it's not that they are missing out. Once you start winning those matches, then things change and people say, oh wow, Vijay Shankar is such an asset. Deepak Hooda hasn't done well for them. Devon Conway in the last few matches, yes, he is there but, you know, it's not been that kind of a start or an impact. Even Rachin Ravindra. So, small, small areas. Again, if the players are not utilizing their opportunities, then what can the captain do or anybody else do?&nbsp;
Talking about the captains, how good has been Shreyas Iyer this season?&nbsp;
You know, when you win an IPL, obviously the confidence is high. Number one is that also he, in any case, has been a very good captain. And it's not only that he has to prove his captaincy coming into an IPL team. I've seen him, you know, he is one of those, he likes the responsibility. He likes those tough situations and he thrives on them. So, when he is captaining an IPL side and they've ended up winning, it's not a surprise.
It's also not that for the first time he has suddenly become captain. He has been around from domestic cricket side and he has been groomed for it as well. So, yes, the confidence is there after winning an IPL.
Every year IPL throws up some stars, uncapped or capped players. This season has been really about Digvesh Rathi and his celebrations. How do you think that he's going about his bowling after being picked up from local leagues?&nbsp;
Very good. I think it's about talent meets opportunity. If IPL is throwing up such talented cricketers, I mean, we should feel very happy that the way our domestic cricket is structured or is being run over the past so many years. IPL in its 18th season is actually showcasing that you don't need four international players to win your contest. More and more franchises or captains, they're seeing that, you know, their Indian domestic players are performing better than international players.
So, it's obviously talking about the depth of Indian cricket, which is very good. And as I say again, it's not that overnight things have changed. If in the 18th IPL season, we are seeing a Priyansh Arya come through and he'll be back in the nets it's not overnight that things happen. Again, it goes back to the depth and opportunity that, you know, our cricketers have, and they're making the most of it.&nbsp;
There may be so many more Digvesh Rathis or Priyansh Aryas in the system all over our country, who have not got the opportunity, who are unable to show skills. They might be even better at their skills, but we do not see them or we have not seen them. But those that we have seen or we are seeing, I think it's a great moment of pride to say that, you know, we as an India has such talent in our country. &nbsp;
Karun Nair - he was sensational in his first innings for DC and there's been chatter around him that he might have a chance at India comeback. Where do you see him, if he continues to perform like that?&nbsp;
Anybody has a chance of an India comeback. As long as they're playing cricket, any and everyone has a chance. Nobody's gone, I mean, again, of course, till the time you say that you are not looking to play international cricket and you just want to participate in leagues and whatever.
But thing is, Indian cricket doesn't say or international cricket doesn't say that, you know, we will only pick players from this bracket or that bracket. That is not there. People who are performing can go on and play for the country. Country requires match winners and champions. So whether he makes a comeback or he doesn't make a comeback in the Indian League, that is for time to tell. But if he has come back and started performing well in domestic cricket and we saw what he did in that innings, it's brilliant, you know. He was always a very good player. 300 runs scored in a Test match does not happen in a fluke. Obviously, he has had that talent before also. But now he has realised his potential or he is realising his potential again, which is very nice. So it's good. Whether he comes back in the Indian team or not, we'll see.
With England series just right after the IPL, how do you think that IPL or BCCI should be managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload given that he is just back from injury?&nbsp;
That's for the doctors to decide. I mean, you and me or anybody else, we are not aware as to what is the injury, how is he after managing that workload since come back. So obviously, they would have seen that he is fit to bowl. The doctors have given him a clearance that he is fit to bowl and he is participating, he is travelling.
People in the system are well aware of the fact that what is coming up, what is the kind of workload that not only Jasprit, but anybody else also, whether it's Mohammad Siraj or Arshdeep or anyone, is managing. So they will manage it. It's not that today you just wrap him in cotton wool and keep him. No. Human body needs to train as well. So his workload is definitely getting managed. I'm sure it is getting managed and being watched as well. How much is he bowling, whatever. So there is a proper system to it and that system runs for everyone. So for Jasprit also, that system is up for monitoring how he is doing.&nbsp;
With IPL reaching its near half stage, what are your top four picks if you'll have it?&nbsp;
I mean, it's difficult to say because we've seen how matches can go up and down. And that's the beauty of it. It's not only this season, even in the last few seasons, we've seen that the teams who have started at the top don't end up at the top. So it's about maintaining that combination, that form. It's a very long tournament.&nbsp;
If you look at Chennai, they have probably rotated almost 18-19 players? For Punjab, they would have rotated about 13 or 14 players with injuries. Teams who have won matches right at the start have not looked to rotate many players around.
And those who, like Chennai, whenever Chennai wins, they hardly change the combination. So it's difficult to say right now. We certainly have teams who have been winning. We say, wow, they're looking very good. They're looking very good. But we can only have one winner.
We'll see. Right now, that's why we talk about the net run rate being so crucial. Even if you have a slump or a slide on that points table, there is a net run rate which can save you and allow you to come back.

IPL 2025 is nearing the halfway mark with the tournament being more or less a batting friendly edition. Five-time champions CSK, however, have found it hard to get going and be part of that six-hitting spree. Cricket sports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is nearing the halfway mark with the tournament being more or less a batting friendly edition. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), however, have found it hard to get going and be part of that six-hitting spree. The other five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have also not been able to win their games but they now have Jasprit Bumrah who is back after suffering a back issue in January earlier this year. It'll be important to manage Bumrah's workload with England Test tour scheduled right after the IPL. One other name who could make a comeback in Indian team is Karun Nair - he's been sensational in recent times in domestic cricket and scored a brilliant 90-odd in his first IPL innings after three years. Also Read - MCA take BCCI route, make it ‘mandatory’ for star India players to play THIS league WION had a chat with former India women's team skipper Anjum Chopra regarding all those things and here's what she had to say: What do you think that's been ailing Chennai Super Kings this season? Well, obviously they've not been able to finish the matches in their favour and that is the only thing. The matches that they are playing, if they had won, two or three of those matches, they could have won or normally, when the Chennai team plays other than losing, they win. So, we always say that there is experience in that side. But because those matches, they have not ended up as a winning team. So suddenly, one after another, when the losses happen, you start asking questions. What is happening? Nothing is happening. It's just that that opening combination did not start well for them then the middle order has not been able to capitalise. So, small, small areas which they have been missing out, or in the fielding, or small areas in the bowling. And small areas, we've seen, you miss on those and opportunity arises for the opposition to utilise those areas. And that's how the matches have been getting slipped from their side to the opposition side. Also, do you feel like Chennai Super Kings do not have as much power hitting options as other teams? I think the very fact that Shivam Dubey was such a star attraction when he started hitting last season or the year before that as well and he is still doing the same. So, if he is missing anything, is just somebody else hitting at the other end who is also striking the ball like that. The last couple of seasons, Ruturaj has been giving them such good starts. But Ruturaj, change of batting order, then him picking up an injury has not helped. Now, he is batting at three. So, even if you bat at three, it means obviously few deliveries unless you walk in on the second or the third ball of the match. So, everything changes. They tried changing the opening combination. It didn't work. The effect was that in the middle order also, somebody apart from Shivam was not able to capitalize. And that start was also not helping. So, few areas, it's not that they are missing out. Once you start winning those matches, then things change and people say, oh wow, Vijay Shankar is such an asset. Deepak Hooda hasn't done well for them. Devon Conway in the last few matches, yes, he is there but, you know, it's not been that kind of a start or an impact. Even Rachin Ravindra. So, small, small areas. Again, if the players are not utilizing their opportunities, then what can the captain do or anybody else do? Talking about the captains, how good has been Shreyas Iyer this season? You know, when you win an IPL, obviously the confidence is high. Number one is that also he, in any case, has been a very good captain. And it's not only that he has to prove his captaincy coming into an IPL team. I've seen him, you know, he is one of those, he likes the responsibility. He likes those tough situations and he thrives on them. So, when he is captaining an IPL side and they've ended up winning, it's not a surprise. It's also not that for the first time he has suddenly become captain. He has been around from domestic cricket side and he has been groomed for it as well. So, yes, the confidence is there after winning an IPL. Every year IPL throws up some stars, uncapped or capped players. This season has been really about Digvesh Rathi and his celebrations. How do you think that he's going about his bowling after being picked up from local leagues? Very good. I think it's about talent meets opportunity. If IPL is throwing up such talented cricketers, I mean, we should feel very happy that the way our domestic cricket is structured or is being run over the past so many years. IPL in its 18th season is actually showcasing that you don't need four international players to win your contest. More and more franchises or captains, they're seeing that, you know, their Indian domestic players are performing better than international players. So, it's obviously talking about the depth of Indian cricket, which is very good. And as I say again, it's not that overnight things have changed. If in the 18th IPL season, we are seeing a Priyansh Arya come through and he'll be back in the nets it's not overnight that things happen. Again, it goes back to the depth and opportunity that, you know, our cricketers have, and they're making the most of it. There may be so many more Digvesh Rathis or Priyansh Aryas in the system all over our country, who have not got the opportunity, who are unable to show skills. They might be even better at their skills, but we do not see them or we have not seen them. But those that we have seen or we are seeing, I think it's a great moment of pride to say that, you know, we as an India has such talent in our country. Karun Nair - he was sensational in his first innings for DC and there's been chatter around him that he might have a chance at India comeback. Where do you see him, if he continues to perform like that? Anybody has a chance of an India comeback. As long as they're playing cricket, any and everyone has a chance. Nobody's gone, I mean, again, of course, till the time you say that you are not looking to play international cricket and you just want to participate in leagues and whatever. But thing is, Indian cricket doesn't say or international cricket doesn't say that, you know, we will only pick players from this bracket or that bracket. That is not there. People who are performing can go on and play for the country. Country requires match winners and champions. So whether he makes a comeback or he doesn't make a comeback in the Indian League, that is for time to tell. But if he has come back and started performing well in domestic cricket and we saw what he did in that innings, it's brilliant, you know. He was always a very good player. 300 runs scored in a Test match does not happen in a fluke. Obviously, he has had that talent before also. But now he has realised his potential or he is realising his potential again, which is very nice. So it's good. Whether he comes back in the Indian team or not, we'll see. With England series just right after the IPL, how do you think that IPL or BCCI should be managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload given that he is just back from injury? That's for the doctors to decide. I mean, you and me or anybody else, we are not aware as to what is the injury, how is he after managing that workload since come back. So obviously, they would have seen that he is fit to bowl. The doctors have given him a clearance that he is fit to bowl and he is participating, he is travelling. People in the system are well aware of the fact that what is coming up, what is the kind of workload that not only Jasprit, but anybody else also, whether it's Mohammad Siraj or Arshdeep or anyone, is managing. So they will manage it. It's not that today you just wrap him in cotton wool and keep him. No. Human body needs to train as well. So his workload is definitely getting managed. I'm sure it is getting managed and being watched as well. How much is he bowling, whatever. So there is a proper system to it and that system runs for everyone. So for Jasprit also, that system is up for monitoring how he is doing. With IPL reaching its near half stage, what are your top four picks if you'll have it? I mean, it's difficult to say because we've seen how matches can go up and down. And that's the beauty of it. It's not only this season, even in the last few seasons, we've seen that the teams who have started at the top don't end up at the top. So it's about maintaining that combination, that form. It's a very long tournament. If you look at Chennai, they have probably rotated almost 18-19 players? For Punjab, they would have rotated about 13 or 14 players with injuries. Teams who have won matches right at the start have not looked to rotate many players around. And those who, like Chennai, whenever Chennai wins, they hardly change the combination. So it's difficult to say right now. We certainly have teams who have been winning. We say, wow, they're looking very good. They're looking very good. But we can only have one winner. We'll see. Right now, that's why we talk about the net run rate being so crucial. Even if you have a slump or a slide on that points table, there is a net run rate which can save you and allow you to come back.

Exclusive: What's ailing CSK in IPL 2025 - Former India women's skipper Anjum Chopra shares thoughts

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">Chennai Super Kings</a> (CSK) are arguably one of the most successful teams in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) with 12 playoff appearances, 10 finals, and five titles under their belt. Not only does this mark them as one of the strongest contenders in the league, it shows their incredible performance on the cricketing field, however, off it, they seem to be turning heads with their fiscal prowess as well, all thanks to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/life-insurance-corporation-of-india" rel="dofollow">Life Insurance Corporation of India</a> (LIC)
When LIC had acquired a portion of the Chennai Super Kings, little did they know that it would end up paying off so heavily. Now, CSK&rsquo;s 6.04% ownership is comprised of shares that LIC possesses and reporedly, these shares have increased in value by over 529% since 2019, getting them acclaim from multiple industries. This is how it all started, and this is where we look towards the future.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mark-zuckerberg-instagram-sale-trial-at-ftc-vs-meta-not-first-time-zuckerberg-court-cases-house-senate-testimonies-timeline-updates-8963294">The 9 lives of Mark Zuckerberg: Every time Meta CEO faced scrutiny. Will he survive 'sell Instagram' trial this time? A timeline</a>
LIC owned 1.8 crore shares of India Cement which owned CSK back in IPL 2008, and due to the changes in franchise structure during 2014, CSK was operational as an independent unit. There were new shares to be divested for the newly established company fund, and LIC&rsquo;s shares translated into the required proportion of stock.
In that period, shares of CSK, which were unlisted, had a valuation of Rs 31 per share. By 2024, those shares skyrocketed to Rs 190-195, peaking at Rs 223 in 2022. This increase of 529% (from Rs 31 to Rs 195) on LIC&rsquo;s stock turned his investment into a 6x windfall which came close to Rs 1,000 crore in profits (considering stake size and price appreciation).
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ipl-2025-kkr-sunil-narine-and-anrich-nortje-bats-fail-gauge-check-in-loss-vs-pbks-8968125">IPL 2025 | KKR's Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje's bats fail gauge check in loss vs PBKS - WATCH</a>
<h2>A modest stake, a massive return</h2>
LIC was given a 6.04% stake in CSK in 2014, though not directly. The journey started in 2008 when CSK was under India Cements, and LIC owned 1.8 crore shares.
Start of 2024 marks over 5.2x increase in LIC&rsquo;s investment value, which stands at approx. Rs 1,000 crores today.&nbsp;As per reports, LIC&rsquo;s investment out of India Cements morphed Cements equity into CSK branding emerging as a powerhouse. Peak share cost recorded in 2022 stood exceptionally high at Rs 223, showcasing these two constituencies as economic powerhouses.
<h2>What fuelled this growth?</h2>
The primary reasons include explosive growth in financials, new era branding expertise coupled with adept media strategies.&nbsp;&lsquo;Blasting&rsquo; seems the only appropriate word to describe the core income constituents from advertisement deals forming the backbone of Texas based franchises sponsorship agreements. CSK alone foresaw a 150% hike in broadcasting and sponsorship income for 2024, translating to an impressive Rs 479 crore.
Profit After Tax (PAT) also saw a surge. In FY23, it was just Rs 14 crore, but in FY24 it rocketed to Rs 201 crore. This is an insane 1,365% increase.
<h2>Media rights windfall</h2>
IPL's media rights auction was a defining moment for investors given how teams associated with IPL, including CSK, had their balance sheet enhance significantly after the auction due to the unprecedented surge in media rights. In 2023, the league sold its media rights for the next 4 seasons for US$6.4 billion to&nbsp;Viacom18 and Star Sports, meaning each IPL match was valued at $13.4 million.
<h2>The Dhoni effect&nbsp;</h2>
Looking beyond the figures, 'Dhoni Factor' has equally strong relevance. With MS Dhoni fondly known as 'Thala' (leader) having popularised CSK, their devoted fandom can be correlated to brand value and prowess in endorsements and sponsorship.&nbsp;CSK's marketing is among the most potent in the league with supporters of all ages and regions. The partnership with Muthoot Group further cements their lead in branding.
It also shows why LIC backs CSK. In India, cricket isn't just another past time; it's a full blown industry.

Business & Economy, Sports, Cricket: LIC was given a 6.04% stake in CSK in 2014, though not directly. The journey started in 2008 when CSK was under India Cements

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are arguably one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 12 playoff appearances, 10 finals, and five titles under their belt. Not only does this mark them as one of the strongest contenders in the league, it shows their incredible performance on the cricketing field, however, off it, they seem to be turning heads with their fiscal prowess as well, all thanks to the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) When LIC had acquired a portion of the Chennai Super Kings, little did they know that it would end up paying off so heavily. Now, CSK’s 6.04% ownership is comprised of shares that LIC possesses and reporedly, these shares have increased in value by over 529% since 2019, getting them acclaim from multiple industries. This is how it all started, and this is where we look towards the future. Also Read: The 9 lives of Mark Zuckerberg: Every time Meta CEO faced scrutiny. Will he survive 'sell Instagram' trial this time? A timeline LIC owned 1.8 crore shares of India Cement which owned CSK back in IPL 2008, and due to the changes in franchise structure during 2014, CSK was operational as an independent unit. There were new shares to be divested for the newly established company fund, and LIC’s shares translated into the required proportion of stock. In that period, shares of CSK, which were unlisted, had a valuation of Rs 31 per share. By 2024, those shares skyrocketed to Rs 190-195, peaking at Rs 223 in 2022. This increase of 529% (from Rs 31 to Rs 195) on LIC’s stock turned his investment into a 6x windfall which came close to Rs 1,000 crore in profits (considering stake size and price appreciation). Also Read: IPL 2025 | KKR's Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje's bats fail gauge check in loss vs PBKS - WATCH A modest stake, a massive return LIC was given a 6.04% stake in CSK in 2014, though not directly. The journey started in 2008 when CSK was under India Cements, and LIC owned 1.8 crore shares. Start of 2024 marks over 5.2x increase in LIC’s investment value, which stands at approx. Rs 1,000 crores today. As per reports, LIC’s investment out of India Cements morphed Cements equity into CSK branding emerging as a powerhouse. Peak share cost recorded in 2022 stood exceptionally high at Rs 223, showcasing these two constituencies as economic powerhouses. What fuelled this growth? The primary reasons include explosive growth in financials, new era branding expertise coupled with adept media strategies. ‘Blasting’ seems the only appropriate word to describe the core income constituents from advertisement deals forming the backbone of Texas based franchises sponsorship agreements. CSK alone foresaw a 150% hike in broadcasting and sponsorship income for 2024, translating to an impressive Rs 479 crore. Profit After Tax (PAT) also saw a surge. In FY23, it was just Rs 14 crore, but in FY24 it rocketed to Rs 201 crore. This is an insane 1,365% increase. Media rights windfall IPL's media rights auction was a defining moment for investors given how teams associated with IPL, including CSK, had their balance sheet enhance significantly after the auction due to the unprecedented surge in media rights. In 2023, the league sold its media rights for the next 4 seasons for US$6.4 billion to Viacom18 and Star Sports, meaning each IPL match was valued at $13.4 million. The Dhoni effect Looking beyond the figures, 'Dhoni Factor' has equally strong relevance. With MS Dhoni fondly known as 'Thala' (leader) having popularised CSK, their devoted fandom can be correlated to brand value and prowess in endorsements and sponsorship. CSK's marketing is among the most potent in the league with supporters of all ages and regions. The partnership with Muthoot Group further cements their lead in branding. It also shows why LIC backs CSK. In India, cricket isn't just another past time; it's a full blown industry.

IPL 2025 | Explained: How insurance giant LIC has earned more than 500% in CSK over six years?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally got back to winning ways after five straight losses in the ongoing IPL 2025. They beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) &nbsp;by five wickets in a thrilling match at Ekana Stadium on Monday ( Apr 14), all thanks to a quick cameo from CSK captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> and a calm finish by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shivam-dube">Shivam Dube</a>.
It was only CSK&rsquo;s second win this season and they still remain at the bottom of the points table. But the team hopes this victory will bring some much-needed confidence.
&ldquo;Winning always feels good,&rdquo; Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. &ldquo;In a long tournament like the IPL, every game matters. Unfortunately, the earlier games didn&rsquo;t go our way. Sometimes, when things don&rsquo;t work out, God makes it really hard. Today was one of those tough games.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ipl-2025-at-43-csk-skipper-ms-dhoni-breaks-11-year-old-record-and-becomes-first-player-in-history-of-ipl-to-8964429">IPL 2025: At 43, CSK skipper MS Dhoni breaks 11-year-old record and becomes first player in history of IPL to...</a>
Dhoni remained unbeaten on 26 runs off 11 balls. He was named Player of the Match for his valuable knock. Coming to the match, CSK struggled while chasing down the target, losing wickets, and failing to get a good start. But, Shivam Dube kept his cool.
<h2>'I waited for the right time'</h2>
Dube played a steady knock, scoring 43* off 37 balls. In the 19th over, he smashed 19 runs off <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shardul-thakur">Shardul Thakur</a>, including a six off a no-ball. That over made the chase much easier, with only four runs needed in the last over. Dube finished the job with a boundary.
&ldquo;This win means a lot,&rdquo; Dube said. &ldquo;We had lost five games in a row, and that&rsquo;s not what CSK is known for. I just wanted to stay till the end and finish it. After we lost some wickets, I decided not to go hard too early. I waited for the right time.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t try to hit every ball hard. The bowlers were bowling well, so I focused on timing and placement," he signed off.

Sports: It was only CSK’s second win this season and they still linger at bottom of the points table. But, the team hopes this win will bring some much-needed confidence

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally got back to winning ways after five straight losses in the ongoing IPL 2025. They beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets in a thrilling match at Ekana Stadium on Monday ( Apr 14), all thanks to a quick cameo from CSK captain MS Dhoni and a calm finish by Shivam Dube. It was only CSK’s second win this season and they still remain at the bottom of the points table. But the team hopes this victory will bring some much-needed confidence. “Winning always feels good,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. “In a long tournament like the IPL, every game matters. Unfortunately, the earlier games didn’t go our way. Sometimes, when things don’t work out, God makes it really hard. Today was one of those tough games.” Also Read: IPL 2025: At 43, CSK skipper MS Dhoni breaks 11-year-old record and becomes first player in history of IPL to... Dhoni remained unbeaten on 26 runs off 11 balls. He was named Player of the Match for his valuable knock. Coming to the match, CSK struggled while chasing down the target, losing wickets, and failing to get a good start. But, Shivam Dube kept his cool. 'I waited for the right time' Dube played a steady knock, scoring 43* off 37 balls. In the 19th over, he smashed 19 runs off Shardul Thakur, including a six off a no-ball. That over made the chase much easier, with only four runs needed in the last over. Dube finished the job with a boundary. “This win means a lot,” Dube said. “We had lost five games in a row, and that’s not what CSK is known for. I just wanted to stay till the end and finish it. After we lost some wickets, I decided not to go hard too early. I waited for the right time.” “I didn’t try to hit every ball hard. The bowlers were bowling well, so I focused on timing and placement," he signed off.

IPL 2025: 'At times, God makes it really hard', says skipper MS Dhoni as CSK ends losing streak

Chennai Super Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants by five-wickets in the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) 2025 and in turn&nbsp;registered their first win in their last six matches on Monday (April 14). <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shivam-dube">Shivam Dube</a> (43 not out of 37 balls) and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> (26 not out of 11 balls) helped the team end the losing streak.&nbsp;
During the game, most of the cameras were focused on MS Dhoni when he arrived at the crease. CSK has been struggling to keep up with other teams, and Dhoni proved that he still possesses the ability to lead them. The CSK captain made 26 runs in 11 balls and along with Shivam Dube, CSK scaled down the target rather comfortably.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ipl-2025-big-blow-of-srh-as-aussie-spinner-adam-zampa-rule-out-for-season-with-shoulder-injury-8964119">IPL 2025 | Big blow of SRH as Aussie spinner Adam Zampa rule out for season with shoulder injury</a>
Interestingly, during the prize ceremony, MS Dhoni was awarded the Player of the Match. While Dhoni, fondly knows as 'Thala' (leader) may not have agreed with the decision by the organisers, this resulted in Dhoni scripting yet another IPL record.
<h2>CSK breaks losing streak&nbsp;</h2>
His POTM award meant that he became the oldest player in the history of the cash-rich league to receive the prize, at an age fof 43 years and 280 days. In doing so, the former India captain broke a 11-year-old record and he eclipsed Pravin Tambe's record, which stood at an age of 42 years and 208 days.
Coming to the match, chasing down the target of 167, CSK opened the innings with Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra. Rachin contributed with 37 off 22 balls, while Rasheed made 27 off 19 balls. Shivam, who brough in as Impact Player made sure that CSK crosses the finshing line. For Lucknow Super Giants, Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers as he took 2/18 from his three overs.
Earlier in the innings, Lucknow Super Giants' captain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rishabh-pant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rishabh Pant</a>&nbsp;smashed a fine half-century as LSG posted a total of 166/7 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL clash at Ekana Stadium here on Monday (April 14). Pant made 63 in 49 balls. His innings was laced with four boundaries and as many sixes.

Sports: The Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni broke an 11-year-old record as he produced a match-winning performance against Lucknow Super Giants

Chennai Super Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants by five-wickets in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and in turn registered their first win in their last six matches on Monday (April 14). Shivam Dube (43 not out of 37 balls) and MS Dhoni (26 not out of 11 balls) helped the team end the losing streak. During the game, most of the cameras were focused on MS Dhoni when he arrived at the crease. CSK has been struggling to keep up with other teams, and Dhoni proved that he still possesses the ability to lead them. The CSK captain made 26 runs in 11 balls and along with Shivam Dube, CSK scaled down the target rather comfortably. Also Read: IPL 2025 | Big blow of SRH as Aussie spinner Adam Zampa rule out for season with shoulder injury Interestingly, during the prize ceremony, MS Dhoni was awarded the Player of the Match. While Dhoni, fondly knows as 'Thala' (leader) may not have agreed with the decision by the organisers, this resulted in Dhoni scripting yet another IPL record. CSK breaks losing streak His POTM award meant that he became the oldest player in the history of the cash-rich league to receive the prize, at an age fof 43 years and 280 days. In doing so, the former India captain broke a 11-year-old record and he eclipsed Pravin Tambe's record, which stood at an age of 42 years and 208 days. Coming to the match, chasing down the target of 167, CSK opened the innings with Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra. Rachin contributed with 37 off 22 balls, while Rasheed made 27 off 19 balls. Shivam, who brough in as Impact Player made sure that CSK crosses the finshing line. For Lucknow Super Giants, Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers as he took 2/18 from his three overs. Earlier in the innings, Lucknow Super Giants' captain Rishabh Pant smashed a fine half-century as LSG posted a total of 166/7 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL clash at Ekana Stadium here on Monday (April 14). Pant made 63 in 49 balls. His innings was laced with four boundaries and as many sixes.

IPL 2025: At 43, CSK skipper MS Dhoni breaks 11-year-old record and becomes first player in history of IPL to...

The great MS Dhoni turned back the clock on Monday (Apr 14) as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets for their second win of IPL 2025. Dhoni remained not out on 25 off 10 balls during the unbeaten 57-run sixth wicket partnership with Shivam Dube (43 not out off 37) and won the Player of the Match award as well - his first in five years.
The stand-in skipper, however, wasn't amused with the POTM award and said at the post-match presentation that somebody else should have gotten it.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2025-captain-thinks-with-lsg-spinner-ravi-bishnoi-on-why-didnt-let-him-bowl-fourth-over-during-loss-vs-csk-8963262">IPL 2025 | 'Captain thinks with...,' LSG spinner Ravi Bishnoi on why Pant didn't let him bowl fourth over during loss vs CSK</a>
"Even today, I was like, why are they giving me the award? I feel Noor Ahmad bowled well. The new ball bowling and in between when Noor and Jaddu, you know, they bowled like four or five overs together. Those were the two spans, I think, where we did very well," Dhoni said.
The win was CSK's only second one and the first after five consecutive losses. Dhoni, who is leading the team for the season in absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, made some changes including dropping Ravi Ashwin.
"We were actually putting too much pressure on Ash. He has to bowl two overs on wickets that were not doing a lot and the batsmen were just expressing themselves. We made a few changes where we could have more bowlers who were able to bowl in the first six," said Dhoni.
With only two wins in seven games, CSK are still at the bottom of the points table with seven more games left to play for them this season. The five-time Champions have minimal to no scope of making anymore errors on the field.
Their next match is against a hot-and-cold blowing Mumbai Indians - CSK, however, will take confidence from the fact that they have beaten MI in their season opener for the first win in IPL 2025.

The win was CSK's only second one in IPL 2025. Dhoni, who is leading the team for the season in absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, made some changes including dropping Ravi Ashwin. Cricket Sports

The great MS Dhoni turned back the clock on Monday (Apr 14) as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets for their second win of IPL 2025. Dhoni remained not out on 25 off 10 balls during the unbeaten 57-run sixth wicket partnership with Shivam Dube (43 not out off 37) and won the Player of the Match award as well - his first in five years. The stand-in skipper, however, wasn't amused with the POTM award and said at the post-match presentation that somebody else should have gotten it. Also Read: IPL 2025 | 'Captain thinks with...,' LSG spinner Ravi Bishnoi on why Pant didn't let him bowl fourth over during loss vs CSK "Even today, I was like, why are they giving me the award? I feel Noor Ahmad bowled well. The new ball bowling and in between when Noor and Jaddu, you know, they bowled like four or five overs together. Those were the two spans, I think, where we did very well," Dhoni said. The win was CSK's only second one and the first after five consecutive losses. Dhoni, who is leading the team for the season in absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, made some changes including dropping Ravi Ashwin. "We were actually putting too much pressure on Ash. He has to bowl two overs on wickets that were not doing a lot and the batsmen were just expressing themselves. We made a few changes where we could have more bowlers who were able to bowl in the first six," said Dhoni. With only two wins in seven games, CSK are still at the bottom of the points table with seven more games left to play for them this season. The five-time Champions have minimal to no scope of making anymore errors on the field. Their next match is against a hot-and-cold blowing Mumbai Indians - CSK, however, will take confidence from the fact that they have beaten MI in their season opener for the first win in IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 | MS Dhoni not amused with POTM award after CSK beat LSG, says 'why me'

Shivam Dube (43 not out off 37 balls) along with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> (26 not out off 11 balls) helped Chennai Super Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing Indian Premier League clash on Monday (April 14). This was CSK's first win in their last six matches.
Chasing down the target of 167, CSK opened the innings with Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra. Rachin contributed with 37 off 22 balls, while Rasheed made 27 off 19 balls. Shivam, who brough in as Impact Player made sure that CSK crosses the finshing line. For Lucknow Super Giants, Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers as he took 2/18 from his three overs.
Earlier in the innings, Lucknow Super Giants' captain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rishabh-pant">Rishabh Pant</a> smashed a fine half-century as LSG posted a total of 166/7 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL clash at Ekana Stadium here on Monday (April 14).&nbsp;Pant made 63 in 49 balls. His innings was laced with four boundaries and as many sixes.
After being put to bat first by CSK, LSG was off to a poor start. Khaleel Ahmed continued his first-over heroics in the season, getting opener Aiden Markram for just six in six balls at the conclusion of the first over, thanks to a fine diving catch from Rahul Tripathi.
CSK put another roadblock on LSG's path as Anshul Kambhoj got the big wicket of an in-form Nicholas Pooran for just eight in nine balls. LSG were 23/2 after four overs. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mitchell-marsh">Mitchell Marsh</a> and skipper Rishabh Pant rebuild the innings, with both taking to the attack against pacers. At the end of six overs, LSG was 42/2 in six overs, with Mitchell (22*) and Rishabh (6*) unbeaten.
<h2>Pant hitting sixes in some style</h2>
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LSG reached the 50-run mark in 6.3 overs, thanks to a reverse scoop by Pant that went for a six.&nbsp;The 50-run stand between the duo ended with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ravindra-jadeja">Ravindra Jadeja</a> getting Marsh clean bowled for 30 in 25 balls, with two fours and two sixes. LSG was 73/3 in 9.3 overs. At the end of 10 overs, LSG was 78/3, with Ayush Badoni (5*) joining Pant (28*).
Pant eased off some pressure, hitting Matheesha Pathirana for two sixes, completing his first IPL 2025 fifty in 42 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes. The 18th over by Pathirana brought 18 runs for LSG. LSG ended at 166/7 in their 20 overs, with Pathirana getting Shardul Thakur (6) on the final ball.

Sports: Chennai Super Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets to break their run of losses in the IPL. This was CSK's first win in their last six matches

Shivam Dube (43 not out off 37 balls) along with MS Dhoni (26 not out off 11 balls) helped Chennai Super Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing Indian Premier League clash on Monday (April 14). This was CSK's first win in their last six matches. Chasing down the target of 167, CSK opened the innings with Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra. Rachin contributed with 37 off 22 balls, while Rasheed made 27 off 19 balls. Shivam, who brough in as Impact Player made sure that CSK crosses the finshing line. For Lucknow Super Giants, Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers as he took 2/18 from his three overs. Earlier in the innings, Lucknow Super Giants' captain Rishabh Pant smashed a fine half-century as LSG posted a total of 166/7 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL clash at Ekana Stadium here on Monday (April 14). Pant made 63 in 49 balls. His innings was laced with four boundaries and as many sixes. After being put to bat first by CSK, LSG was off to a poor start. Khaleel Ahmed continued his first-over heroics in the season, getting opener Aiden Markram for just six in six balls at the conclusion of the first over, thanks to a fine diving catch from Rahul Tripathi. CSK put another roadblock on LSG's path as Anshul Kambhoj got the big wicket of an in-form Nicholas Pooran for just eight in nine balls. LSG were 23/2 after four overs. Mitchell Marsh and skipper Rishabh Pant rebuild the innings, with both taking to the attack against pacers. At the end of six overs, LSG was 42/2 in six overs, with Mitchell (22*) and Rishabh (6*) unbeaten. Pant hitting sixes in some style View this post on Instagram A post shared by IPL (@iplt20) LSG reached the 50-run mark in 6.3 overs, thanks to a reverse scoop by Pant that went for a six. The 50-run stand between the duo ended with Ravindra Jadeja getting Marsh clean bowled for 30 in 25 balls, with two fours and two sixes. LSG was 73/3 in 9.3 overs. At the end of 10 overs, LSG was 78/3, with Ayush Badoni (5*) joining Pant (28*). Pant eased off some pressure, hitting Matheesha Pathirana for two sixes, completing his first IPL 2025 fifty in 42 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes. The 18th over by Pathirana brought 18 runs for LSG. LSG ended at 166/7 in their 20 overs, with Pathirana getting Shardul Thakur (6) on the final ball.

IPL 2025 | Dube, MS Dhoni steer CSK to five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered five straight losses in this ongoing season of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) 2025. Moreover, their recent form has raised concerns over their chances to qualify for the playoffs.
With their latest loss to to the defendig champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday (April 11), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">CSK</a> is positioned at ninth in the points table with two points from six matches and net run-rate of -1.554. With remaining eight matches left, CSK would need to pull off a massive turnaround in order to finish in the top four at the end of the league phase. Generally, teams with 16 points at the end of the league phase are all but guaranteed to finish in the playoff places.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-csk-have-got-the-right-players-not-giving-up-just-yet-says-michael-hussey-after-team-suffers-fifth-straight-loss-8954491">IPL 2025: 'CSK have got the right players, not giving up just yet', says Michael Hussey after team suffers fifth straight loss</a>
<h2>'We have to accept challenge'</h2>
Last season, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/royal-challengers-bengaluru">Royal Challengers Bengaluru</a> (RCB) qualified for the playoffs despite losing seven of their first eight matches. In fact, they finished fourth with 14 points from as many matches.&nbsp;Considering that, CSK also have an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs. However, they would have to win their remaining matches, and also hope that other results go their way.
If CSK win all of their remaining matches, they'll end the group stage with 16 points from 14 matches. Even if they finish with 14 points, they would still have a slim chance of making it to the playoffs.
CSK stand-in captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">Mahendra Singh Dhoni</a> opened up on the reason behind the team's poor form of run. "It has been quite a few nights that have not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge. Today, I felt we did not have enough runs on the board. It has been the case over there; when we bowled in the 2nd innings, it stopped a bit. Today, it did in the first innings. When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners, it is difficult. We never got any partnerships, and a bit more partnerships, application, and we would be fine. What is important is to see the conditions," MS Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.
(With inputs from agencies)

India News, Sports: Following their latest defeat to KKR on Friday (April 11), CSK sit ninth in points table with two points from six matches and net run-rate of -1.554

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered five straight losses in this ongoing season of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Moreover, their recent form has raised concerns over their chances to qualify for the playoffs. With their latest loss to to the defendig champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday (April 11), CSK is positioned at ninth in the points table with two points from six matches and net run-rate of -1.554. With remaining eight matches left, CSK would need to pull off a massive turnaround in order to finish in the top four at the end of the league phase. Generally, teams with 16 points at the end of the league phase are all but guaranteed to finish in the playoff places. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'CSK have got the right players, not giving up just yet', says Michael Hussey after team suffers fifth straight loss 'We have to accept challenge' Last season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) qualified for the playoffs despite losing seven of their first eight matches. In fact, they finished fourth with 14 points from as many matches. Considering that, CSK also have an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs. However, they would have to win their remaining matches, and also hope that other results go their way. If CSK win all of their remaining matches, they'll end the group stage with 16 points from 14 matches. Even if they finish with 14 points, they would still have a slim chance of making it to the playoffs. CSK stand-in captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opened up on the reason behind the team's poor form of run. "It has been quite a few nights that have not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge. Today, I felt we did not have enough runs on the board. It has been the case over there; when we bowled in the 2nd innings, it stopped a bit. Today, it did in the first innings. When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners, it is difficult. We never got any partnerships, and a bit more partnerships, application, and we would be fine. What is important is to see the conditions," MS Dhoni said in the post-match presentation. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Here's how CSK can still qualify for playoffs. Deets inside

When Chennai Super Kings walked back into the dressing room after being bowled out for just 103 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk, their lowest score ever at home, the mood was low. Players looked disappointed and fans had many questions. But in all , one man stayed positive. CSK&rsquo;s batting coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/michael-hussey">Michael Hussey</a> believes that the team has the right players and can make a strong comeback.
After suffering their fifth consecutive defeat, this time an eight-wicket loss to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kolkata-knight-riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</a>, questions surfaced around CSK&rsquo;s current form. But Hussey isn&rsquo;t ready to panic.&nbsp;&ldquo;I still think we've got the right players,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We've just got to try and help them find some confidence and consistency... whether that's with the bat, ball or in the field.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-this-is-not-the-csk-we-know-says-former-australian-wc-winning-captain-8954450">IPL 2025: 'This is not the CSK we know', says former Australian WC winning captain</a>
Many fans and experts have questioned if CSK are holding onto players past their prime. But Hussey defended the senior names.&nbsp;&ldquo;I would argue that they're beyond their prime. I don't agree with that... I think of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shane-watson">Shane Watson</a>. I think of Ajinkya Rahane. They've performed really well for CSK,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I still think that the players that we've got still have some good cricket in front of them.&rdquo;
<h2>'Want to pick guys when they are ready to perform'</h2>
He also addressed the calls to bring in young talent.&nbsp;&ldquo;We want to pick guys when they're ready to perform,&rdquo; Hussey added. &ldquo;Sometimes when teams give up and think, 'we can't win the tournament anymore... we'll just try the youngsters now'. That&rsquo;s not us. We're not putting the white flag up just yet.&rdquo;
Despite a poor run with the bat, ball, and fielding, CSK still hopes to make a comeback.&nbsp;&ldquo;You only have to get into scraping to that fourth place. If we can change that momentum and get a few wins... we might be able to scrape into one of those last positions,&rdquo; Hussey said.
There&rsquo;s soul-searching to do, he admitted &nbsp;but also belief.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: After suffering their fifth consecutive defeat, and an eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, questions surfaced around CSK’s current form

When Chennai Super Kings walked back into the dressing room after being bowled out for just 103 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk, their lowest score ever at home, the mood was low. Players looked disappointed and fans had many questions. But in all , one man stayed positive. CSK’s batting coach Michael Hussey believes that the team has the right players and can make a strong comeback. After suffering their fifth consecutive defeat, this time an eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, questions surfaced around CSK’s current form. But Hussey isn’t ready to panic. “I still think we've got the right players,” he said. “We've just got to try and help them find some confidence and consistency... whether that's with the bat, ball or in the field.” Also Read: IPL 2025: 'This is not the CSK we know', says former Australian WC winning captain Many fans and experts have questioned if CSK are holding onto players past their prime. But Hussey defended the senior names. “I would argue that they're beyond their prime. I don't agree with that... I think of Shane Watson. I think of Ajinkya Rahane. They've performed really well for CSK,” he said. “I still think that the players that we've got still have some good cricket in front of them.” 'Want to pick guys when they are ready to perform' He also addressed the calls to bring in young talent. “We want to pick guys when they're ready to perform,” Hussey added. “Sometimes when teams give up and think, 'we can't win the tournament anymore... we'll just try the youngsters now'. That’s not us. We're not putting the white flag up just yet.” Despite a poor run with the bat, ball, and fielding, CSK still hopes to make a comeback. “You only have to get into scraping to that fourth place. If we can change that momentum and get a few wins... we might be able to scrape into one of those last positions,” Hussey said. There’s soul-searching to do, he admitted but also belief. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: 'CSK have got the right players, not giving up just yet', says Michael Hussey after team suffers fifth straight loss

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets in the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> 2025 at Chepauk stadium on Friday (April 11).
Former Australian captain, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/michael-clarke">Michael Clarke</a> believes CSK are clearly down on confidence and need to take bold risks now. He said, "This is not the CSK we have seen over the years. This team feels different - low on fight, belief and struggling to find answers. After five consecutive losses in IPL 2025, even fans are beginning to wonder what&rsquo;s happening with the team."&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-how-artificial-intelligence-and-data-analytics-are-transforming-fantasy-sports-8954077">Exclusive | How artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming fantasy sports</a>
At Chepauk, the five-time champions were bowled out for just 103-their lowest-ever score at home. Not even MS Dhoni&rsquo;s return as captain could change their fortunes. Kolkata Knight Riders chased the target in just 10.1 overs, handing them their biggest IPL defeat in terms of balls remaining (59). CSK are now placed ninth on the points table.
<h2>'They are low on confidence'</h2>
Clarke, speaking on JioHotstar, didn&rsquo;t hold back. "They&rsquo;re down on confidence. There was no intent. Right now, it looks like they&rsquo;re just trying to avoid a big defeat instead of playing to win. They need to throw everything on the line," he said.
"Just like winning brings confidence, losing also becomes a habit. And it&rsquo;s hard to shake off," he added.
Meanwhile, former CSK spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/piyush-chawla">Piyush Chawla</a> said it&rsquo;s time to bring in young blood and to do some experiment. He said,&nbsp;"Someone like Andre Siddarth deserves a chance. You&rsquo;ve already seen enough of Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda. Even one or two changes in the team can infuse fresh energy and confidence."
Chawla also praised KKR&rsquo;s Sunil Narine, who took 3/13. "Even after all these years, batters still struggle to read him. He was accurate, clever, and didn&rsquo;t allow any boundaries," he concluded.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: At Chepauk, the five-time champions were bowled out for 103-their lowest-ever score at home. Not even MSD's return as captain could change their fortunes

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 at Chepauk stadium on Friday (April 11). Former Australian captain, Michael Clarke believes CSK are clearly down on confidence and need to take bold risks now. He said, "This is not the CSK we have seen over the years. This team feels different - low on fight, belief and struggling to find answers. After five consecutive losses in IPL 2025, even fans are beginning to wonder what’s happening with the team." Also Read: Exclusive | How artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming fantasy sports At Chepauk, the five-time champions were bowled out for just 103-their lowest-ever score at home. Not even MS Dhoni’s return as captain could change their fortunes. Kolkata Knight Riders chased the target in just 10.1 overs, handing them their biggest IPL defeat in terms of balls remaining (59). CSK are now placed ninth on the points table. 'They are low on confidence' Clarke, speaking on JioHotstar, didn’t hold back. "They’re down on confidence. There was no intent. Right now, it looks like they’re just trying to avoid a big defeat instead of playing to win. They need to throw everything on the line," he said. "Just like winning brings confidence, losing also becomes a habit. And it’s hard to shake off," he added. Meanwhile, former CSK spinner Piyush Chawla said it’s time to bring in young blood and to do some experiment. He said, "Someone like Andre Siddarth deserves a chance. You’ve already seen enough of Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda. Even one or two changes in the team can infuse fresh energy and confidence." Chawla also praised KKR’s Sunil Narine, who took 3/13. "Even after all these years, batters still struggle to read him. He was accurate, clever, and didn’t allow any boundaries," he concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: 'This is not the CSK we know', says former Australian WC winning captain

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders opening batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/quinton-de-kock" rel="dofollow">Quinton de Kock</a> said having former Chennai Super Kings players Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali in their team gave them key insights into the Chepauk conditions, which prompted the decision to include an extra spinner, a move that proved crucial in their eight-wicket win.
KKR spinners <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunil-narine">Sunil Narine</a> (3/13), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/varun-chakaravarthy">Varun Chakravarthy</a> (2/22), and Moeen Ali (1/20) shared five wickets between them, while pacer Harshit Rana chipped in with 2/16. KKR restricted the five-time champions to their lowest-ever total of 103/9 in Chennai. "When we bowled, it seemed a lot slower, gripped a bit and our bowlers really enjoy that. We have got guys like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ajinkya-rahane">Ajinkya Rahane</a> and Moeen Ali who have been here before and they kind of knew that, so that's why we played an extra spinner,&rdquo; de Kock said after the match.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/rizwan-claps-back-at-english-critics-says-pakistan-wants-cricket-not-english-8953690">Rizwan claps back at English critics, says 'Pakistan wants cricket from me, not English'</a>
On being asked about the nature of the pitch and if it changed in the second innings, de Kock said it only got better for batting as the game progressed. "I do think (in) the second innings it got slightly better. It did come on a bit better, or at least that's what I felt, that's how it played, sort of slow and just got better and better during the innings went on," he said.
<h2>'Narine and Varun are always working on their games'</h2>
De Kock lauded KKR for bringing together two mystery spinners and praised Narine for his all-round show. Narine made a quickfire 18-ball 44. &ldquo;It's always (about) mixing it up. I think it's hard to line up certain spin bowlers like that because you never know what you're going to get,&rdquo; de Kock said.
"On top of that, having that amount of skill, the areas they bowl, Sunil prides himself on the areas that he bowls and so does Varun Chakaravarthy. They're always working on their games, always trying to get better."&nbsp;
"Sunil, when he bats, he brings the X factor. I think every bowler knows he's going to come hard. He practices really hard. He's always at practices. I don't think he's missed a practice, even optional practices. He really does work on it,&rdquo; he concluded.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders spinners Sunil Narine (3/13), Varun Chakravarthy (2/22), and Moeen Ali (1/20) shared five wickets between them

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders opening batter Quinton de Kock said having former Chennai Super Kings players Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali in their team gave them key insights into the Chepauk conditions, which prompted the decision to include an extra spinner, a move that proved crucial in their eight-wicket win. KKR spinners Sunil Narine (3/13), Varun Chakravarthy (2/22), and Moeen Ali (1/20) shared five wickets between them, while pacer Harshit Rana chipped in with 2/16. KKR restricted the five-time champions to their lowest-ever total of 103/9 in Chennai. "When we bowled, it seemed a lot slower, gripped a bit and our bowlers really enjoy that. We have got guys like Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali who have been here before and they kind of knew that, so that's why we played an extra spinner,” de Kock said after the match. Also Read: Rizwan claps back at English critics, says 'Pakistan wants cricket from me, not English' On being asked about the nature of the pitch and if it changed in the second innings, de Kock said it only got better for batting as the game progressed. "I do think (in) the second innings it got slightly better. It did come on a bit better, or at least that's what I felt, that's how it played, sort of slow and just got better and better during the innings went on," he said. 'Narine and Varun are always working on their games' De Kock lauded KKR for bringing together two mystery spinners and praised Narine for his all-round show. Narine made a quickfire 18-ball 44. “It's always (about) mixing it up. I think it's hard to line up certain spin bowlers like that because you never know what you're going to get,” de Kock said. "On top of that, having that amount of skill, the areas they bowl, Sunil prides himself on the areas that he bowls and so does Varun Chakaravarthy. They're always working on their games, always trying to get better." "Sunil, when he bats, he brings the X factor. I think every bowler knows he's going to come hard. He practices really hard. He's always at practices. I don't think he's missed a practice, even optional practices. He really does work on it,” he concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Quinton de Kock reveals KKR’s spin-heavy strategy to tackle CSK on Chepauk’s turning track

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a dominating win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday (April 11) in the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league" rel="dofollow">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) 2025. The defending champions beat the five-team champions by eight wickets and with ten overs to spare.
KKR's&nbsp;right-arm off-spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/moeen-ali">Moeen Ali</a> hailed Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy after their phenomenal performance. Sunil&nbsp;Narine was the pick of the bowlers for KKR as he picked three wickets and gave just 13 runs in his allotted four overs. He shined with the bat, too, where he made a quickfire 44 runs from just 18 balls. His innings included five sixes and two boundaries.
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The 36-year-old was awarded the Player of the Match following his all-round performance.&nbsp;On the other hand, India's mystery spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/varun-chakaravarthy">Varun Chakaravarthy</a> scalped two wickets in his four overs, giving away 22 runs. He took important wickets of Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda in his spell.
<h2>'Varun and Sunil are just amazing'</h2>
"It was nice, and having two left-handers helped my case. Just trying to keep it as tight as I can and pick up a couple of wickets. I picked up one wicket. It is nice, and Rinku's dive for me to stop that four was big boost for my confidence. Try not to bowl too quickly; just give time to spin, and sometimes it skids, sometimes it spins. I like to keep the shape of the ball and try to spin it."
"They (Narine and Varun) are amazing spinners, and they have been for a while now, especially Sunil. If I can bowl a couple of overs up top and set them up in the middle where they are quite hard to hit, I am learning from them and trying to keep up. The pitch was a little bit tacky; you don't need to spin every ball, just one to put the doubt in the batter's mind," Moeen said during the post-match presentation.
Moeen Ali had a good day out with the ball, where he grabbed one wicket in his spell of four overs, where he gave away 20 runs at an economy of 5. He bowled one maiden over and took the wickets of Devon Conway in his spell.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He picked three wickets and conceded just 13 runs in his spell of four overs

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a dominating win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday (April 11) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The defending champions beat the five-team champions by eight wickets and with ten overs to spare. KKR's right-arm off-spinner Moeen Ali hailed Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy after their phenomenal performance. Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers for KKR as he picked three wickets and gave just 13 runs in his allotted four overs. He shined with the bat, too, where he made a quickfire 44 runs from just 18 balls. His innings included five sixes and two boundaries. Also Read: Billie Jean King Cup: Vaidehi and Shrivalli shine as India downs Chinese Taipei The 36-year-old was awarded the Player of the Match following his all-round performance. On the other hand, India's mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy scalped two wickets in his four overs, giving away 22 runs. He took important wickets of Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda in his spell. 'Varun and Sunil are just amazing' "It was nice, and having two left-handers helped my case. Just trying to keep it as tight as I can and pick up a couple of wickets. I picked up one wicket. It is nice, and Rinku's dive for me to stop that four was big boost for my confidence. Try not to bowl too quickly; just give time to spin, and sometimes it skids, sometimes it spins. I like to keep the shape of the ball and try to spin it." "They (Narine and Varun) are amazing spinners, and they have been for a while now, especially Sunil. If I can bowl a couple of overs up top and set them up in the middle where they are quite hard to hit, I am learning from them and trying to keep up. The pitch was a little bit tacky; you don't need to spin every ball, just one to put the doubt in the batter's mind," Moeen said during the post-match presentation. Moeen Ali had a good day out with the ball, where he grabbed one wicket in his spell of four overs, where he gave away 20 runs at an economy of 5. He bowled one maiden over and took the wickets of Devon Conway in his spell. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Moeen Ali left in awe of KKR’s spin wizards after dominating win over CSK

In a massive development surrounding the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings-csk" rel="dofollow">Chennai Super Kings (CSK)</a>, veteran gloveman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni" rel="dofollow">MS Dhoni</a> will lead the franchise in the remainder of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a> after regular captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad" rel="dofollow">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a> got ruled out of the tournament with an elbow injury, head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed in a statement.
&ldquo;As far as replacements go, we have few options in the squad. We haven&rsquo;t zeroed in on anyone. Dhoni was ready to take over. He understood where it was coming from,&rdquo; Fleming said at the pre-game presser in Chennai on Thursday (Apr 10).
Gaikwad got ruled out ahead of the CSK's next home game against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a big blow to the team, which endured a poor start to the tournament, losing four out of five contested matches. Gaikwad suffered a blow to his elbow during CSK's away clash against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati (March 30). An almost-steep-bouncer from RR seamer Tushar Deshpande hit the CSK captain on his unprotected elbow inside the second over, injuring it; despite that, he scored a fighting 63 in a losing cause, with his side going down during the chase.&nbsp;
Gaikwad featured for CSK in the next two games, scoring just five against Delhi Capitals (DC) and one against Punjab Kings (PBKS); with 122 runs and a strike rate of over 150, Gaikwad remains the highest run scorer for the franchise after five matches.
"He [Gaikwad] got hit in Guwahati. He's been operating with an amount of pain," Fleming said. "We got an X-ray, which was inconclusive, and we had an MRI, which revealed a fracture in his elbow, in the radial neck.
"So we're disappointed and feel for him. We appreciate the efforts that he's gone to in terms of trying to play, but unfortunately, he'd be out of the tournament from now. We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL," he continued.&nbsp;
<h2>Dhoni is back as CSK captain</h2>
Having captained the Chennai Super Kings earlier from 2008 to 2024, MS Dhoni is back donning the captain's hat for the franchise for the remainder of the 18th edition. Under Dhoni's leadership, CSK has tasted immense success, winning IPL titles for the record five times and the now-defunct Champions League T20 twice.
"He [Dhoni] had no hesitation to step up and help guide us out of this if we can," Fleming said. "So that was never a doubt. We'll look at replacements. We've got some good players in the squad that have been with us a while, so we'll look from within first. But yeah, there is an opportunity to see how we can enhance the squad probably moving forward into subsequent years."
Meanwhile, with just two points from five matches, CSK sits in the ninth position on the points table, with last year's runners-up SunRisers Hyderabad tenth.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: MS Dhoni is back as the Chennai Super Kings captain for the remainder of IPL 2025 following an untimely injury to regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

In a massive development surrounding the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), veteran gloveman MS Dhoni will lead the franchise in the remainder of IPL 2025 after regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad got ruled out of the tournament with an elbow injury, head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed in a statement. “As far as replacements go, we have few options in the squad. We haven’t zeroed in on anyone. Dhoni was ready to take over. He understood where it was coming from,” Fleming said at the pre-game presser in Chennai on Thursday (Apr 10). Gaikwad got ruled out ahead of the CSK's next home game against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a big blow to the team, which endured a poor start to the tournament, losing four out of five contested matches. Gaikwad suffered a blow to his elbow during CSK's away clash against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati (March 30). An almost-steep-bouncer from RR seamer Tushar Deshpande hit the CSK captain on his unprotected elbow inside the second over, injuring it; despite that, he scored a fighting 63 in a losing cause, with his side going down during the chase. Gaikwad featured for CSK in the next two games, scoring just five against Delhi Capitals (DC) and one against Punjab Kings (PBKS); with 122 runs and a strike rate of over 150, Gaikwad remains the highest run scorer for the franchise after five matches. "He [Gaikwad] got hit in Guwahati. He's been operating with an amount of pain," Fleming said. "We got an X-ray, which was inconclusive, and we had an MRI, which revealed a fracture in his elbow, in the radial neck. "So we're disappointed and feel for him. We appreciate the efforts that he's gone to in terms of trying to play, but unfortunately, he'd be out of the tournament from now. We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL," he continued. Dhoni is back as CSK captain Having captained the Chennai Super Kings earlier from 2008 to 2024, MS Dhoni is back donning the captain's hat for the franchise for the remainder of the 18th edition. Under Dhoni's leadership, CSK has tasted immense success, winning IPL titles for the record five times and the now-defunct Champions League T20 twice. "He [Dhoni] had no hesitation to step up and help guide us out of this if we can," Fleming said. "So that was never a doubt. We'll look at replacements. We've got some good players in the squad that have been with us a while, so we'll look from within first. But yeah, there is an opportunity to see how we can enhance the squad probably moving forward into subsequent years." Meanwhile, with just two points from five matches, CSK sits in the ninth position on the points table, with last year's runners-up SunRisers Hyderabad tenth. (With inputs from agencies)

MS Dhoni returns as CSK captain for remainder of IPL 2025

Young opener <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/priyansh-arya">Priyansh Arya</a> announced his arrival on the big stage of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> with an awe-inspiring century that helped Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 18-runs on Tuesday (April 8).<o:p></o:p>
Arya&rsquo;s match-winning knock was laced with nine sixes and the innings gave a glimpse into his capabilities. But Arya had already exhibited his hard-hitting talent in the Delhi Premier League in August 2024 when he hit six sixes in an over. Along with Ayush Badoni, he forged a partnership of 286, the highest for any wicket in T20 cricket and scored a 50-ball 120 in that match.<o:p></o:p>
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Speaking about his game plan in the lead up to the innings, the young batter said, &ldquo;I felt confident from the first one. My game plan was to play proper cricketing shots and capitalise on the loose balls. The credit goes to the entire team management for having faith in me and giving me the freedom. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shreyas-iyer">Shreyas Iyer</a> told me to play on my instinct. There were matches when I didn&rsquo;t perform well but Shreyas told me that no matter what, I will be playing all the matches. That belief means everything.&rdquo;<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">'New ball was coming nicely'</h2>
&ldquo;The pitch was slightly two-paced but not unplayable. The new ball came on nicely and once I got used to it, I found my rhythm quicky,&rdquo; he added.<o:p></o:p>
Arya, who is trained by Sanjay Bhardwaj, one of the prominent names when it comes to domestic cricket, also acknowledged the growing expectations. He said, &ldquo;I love the big stage. This is where you want to perform and leave a mark.&rdquo;<o:p></o:p>
&ldquo;I enjoy watching videos of top batters in the world and then work hard in the nets. I always try to improve after every match. I constantly learn from the senior players around me. You can learn a lot by just observing them,&rdquo; he added.<o:p></o:p>

Cricket, Sports: Arya exhibited his hard-hitting talent in the Delhi Premier League last year when he hit six sixes in an over. He was part of South Delhi Superstarz team

Young opener Priyansh Arya announced his arrival on the big stage of the Indian Premier League with an awe-inspiring century that helped Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 18-runs on Tuesday (April 8). Arya’s match-winning knock was laced with nine sixes and the innings gave a glimpse into his capabilities. But Arya had already exhibited his hard-hitting talent in the Delhi Premier League in August 2024 when he hit six sixes in an over. Along with Ayush Badoni, he forged a partnership of 286, the highest for any wicket in T20 cricket and scored a 50-ball 120 in that match. Also Read: Cricket at Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: Check history and all you need to know as six teams and 90 players to feature Speaking about his game plan in the lead up to the innings, the young batter said, “I felt confident from the first one. My game plan was to play proper cricketing shots and capitalise on the loose balls. The credit goes to the entire team management for having faith in me and giving me the freedom. Shreyas Iyer told me to play on my instinct. There were matches when I didn’t perform well but Shreyas told me that no matter what, I will be playing all the matches. That belief means everything.” 'New ball was coming nicely' “The pitch was slightly two-paced but not unplayable. The new ball came on nicely and once I got used to it, I found my rhythm quicky,” he added. Arya, who is trained by Sanjay Bhardwaj, one of the prominent names when it comes to domestic cricket, also acknowledged the growing expectations. He said, “I love the big stage. This is where you want to perform and leave a mark.” “I enjoy watching videos of top batters in the world and then work hard in the nets. I always try to improve after every match. I constantly learn from the senior players around me. You can learn a lot by just observing them,” he added.

IPL 2025: ‘This is the stage where you want to perform, says PBKS’ Priyansh after scoring stunning ton against CSK

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephan Fleming has acknowledged that the current season has been a frustrating one of them so far. The statement came after CSK again failed to chase another 180+ total - this time against Punjab Kings on Tuesday (Apr 8). Chasing 220, CSK managed to score 201 but still lost the game by 18 runs and Fleming blamed it on poor fielding.
"The game was really lost in the field, I thought we were sloppy in the field, and we just lacked accuracy under pressure at certain times," Fleming reckoned after the loss.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-rahane-kkr-pitch-controversy-will-talk-to-the-ipl-about-kkr-skipper-rahane-reignites-pitch-debate-after-loss-vs-lsg-in-run-fest-at-home-8941632">IPL 2025 | 'Will talk to the IPL about...,' KKR skipper Rahane reignites pitch debate after loss vs LSG in run-fest at home</a>
"We were put under pressure by a fine innings [from Arya] but we've got to be better than that in terms of shutting it down. So that's where the game got away from us. We're 18 runs short in a big run chase, so we can look at three sixes here and there. It's been a frustrating season so far. The catching has been poor, but it was poor from both sides tonight. Whether it was something in the light I'm not sure but certainly for us that was an area of concern," he added.
Nothing has come together for CSK this season including both batting and bowling.
In the game against PBKS they had taken quick wickets, in fact five of them for less than 100 in eight overs, but failed to stop 24-year-old Priyansh Arya who went to hit second-fastest ton by an Indian in the IPL.
Out of Punjab's 219 runs, Arya scored 103 off 42 balls which were laced with seven fours and nine sixes. Apart from him, finisher Shashank Singh scored unbeaten 52 off 36 balls and Marco Jansen hit 34 not out in 19 balls.
While chasing, CSK did send MS Dhoni up the order and the talisman batter did give the fans hope. Dhoni, however, guided a leg-side full toss on the first ball of the last over in the hands of the fine-leg as CSK managed just nine of 28 runs required in the remaining balls.

Conway just couldn’t accelerate when it mattered most. After Dube’s dismissal, with 69 needed off 25 balls, Conway struggled, managing only 9 runs from 6 balls. Cricket Sports

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephan Fleming has acknowledged that the current season has been a frustrating one of them so far. The statement came after CSK again failed to chase another 180+ total - this time against Punjab Kings on Tuesday (Apr 8). Chasing 220, CSK managed to score 201 but still lost the game by 18 runs and Fleming blamed it on poor fielding. "The game was really lost in the field, I thought we were sloppy in the field, and we just lacked accuracy under pressure at certain times," Fleming reckoned after the loss. Also Read: IPL 2025 | 'Will talk to the IPL about...,' KKR skipper Rahane reignites pitch debate after loss vs LSG in run-fest at home "We were put under pressure by a fine innings [from Arya] but we've got to be better than that in terms of shutting it down. So that's where the game got away from us. We're 18 runs short in a big run chase, so we can look at three sixes here and there. It's been a frustrating season so far. The catching has been poor, but it was poor from both sides tonight. Whether it was something in the light I'm not sure but certainly for us that was an area of concern," he added. Nothing has come together for CSK this season including both batting and bowling. In the game against PBKS they had taken quick wickets, in fact five of them for less than 100 in eight overs, but failed to stop 24-year-old Priyansh Arya who went to hit second-fastest ton by an Indian in the IPL. Out of Punjab's 219 runs, Arya scored 103 off 42 balls which were laced with seven fours and nine sixes. Apart from him, finisher Shashank Singh scored unbeaten 52 off 36 balls and Marco Jansen hit 34 not out in 19 balls. While chasing, CSK did send MS Dhoni up the order and the talisman batter did give the fans hope. Dhoni, however, guided a leg-side full toss on the first ball of the last over in the hands of the fine-leg as CSK managed just nine of 28 runs required in the remaining balls.

IPL 2025 | Experts question timing of retiring out Devon Conway after CSK lose fourth game in a row

Young opener Priyansh Arya lit up the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">IPL</a> on Tuesday (April 8) with a stunning maiden century, propelling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/punjab-kings">Punjab Kings</a> to a thrilling 18-run victory over Chennai Super Kings.
Opting to bat first, PBKS posted a formidable 219/6, thanks largely to Arya&rsquo;s sensational 103 off just 42 deliveries. His knock, laced with seven boundaries and nine towering sixes, combined sheer power with a bit of luck to put Punjab in the driver&rsquo;s seat. Shashank Singh also played a crucial role with a composed 52* off 36 balls, anchoring the innings in the latter stages.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/neeraj-chopra-to-kick-off-2025-season-at-doha-diamond-league-on-may-16-8940629">Neeraj Chopra to kick off 2025 season at Doha Diamond League on May 16</a>
In reply, CSK got off to a steady start, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/devon-conway">Devon Conway</a> scoring a solid 69 before retiring out. Contributions from Shivam Dube (42) and Rachin Ravindra (36) kept Chennai in the hunt. In a late twist, MS Dhoni turned back the clock with a quickfire 27 off just 12 balls, but the chase ultimately fell short as CSK managed 201/5 in their 20 overs.
Lockie Ferguson (2/40) and the PBKS bowling unit held their nerve in the final overs to seal a vital win.
<h2>Brief scores:</h2>
Punjab Kings: 219/6 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 103, Shashank Singh 52*; Khaleel Ahmed 2/45) beat&nbsp;Chennai Super Kings: 201/5 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 69 retired out, Shivam Dube 42; Lockie Ferguson 2/40) by 18 runs.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Opting to bat first, PBKS posted 219/6, thanks to Arya’s 103 off just 42 deliveries. His knock was laced with seven boundaries and nine towering sixes

Young opener Priyansh Arya lit up the IPL on Tuesday (April 8) with a stunning maiden century, propelling Punjab Kings to a thrilling 18-run victory over Chennai Super Kings. Opting to bat first, PBKS posted a formidable 219/6, thanks largely to Arya’s sensational 103 off just 42 deliveries. His knock, laced with seven boundaries and nine towering sixes, combined sheer power with a bit of luck to put Punjab in the driver’s seat. Shashank Singh also played a crucial role with a composed 52* off 36 balls, anchoring the innings in the latter stages. Also Read: Neeraj Chopra to kick off 2025 season at Doha Diamond League on May 16 In reply, CSK got off to a steady start, with Devon Conway scoring a solid 69 before retiring out. Contributions from Shivam Dube (42) and Rachin Ravindra (36) kept Chennai in the hunt. In a late twist, MS Dhoni turned back the clock with a quickfire 27 off just 12 balls, but the chase ultimately fell short as CSK managed 201/5 in their 20 overs. Lockie Ferguson (2/40) and the PBKS bowling unit held their nerve in the final overs to seal a vital win. Brief scores: Punjab Kings: 219/6 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 103, Shashank Singh 52*; Khaleel Ahmed 2/45) beat Chennai Super Kings: 201/5 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 69 retired out, Shivam Dube 42; Lockie Ferguson 2/40) by 18 runs. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Priyansh Arya's maiden IPL ton steers PBKS to 18-run win over CSK

The Chennai Super Kings will take the pitch later in the day today as they take on the Punjab Kings. Chennai has been struggling this season and enters the match on the back of three straight defeats. But the biggest question facing the franchise is the future of MS Dhoni. Along with Chennai, Dhoni has also been pretty poor this season. Although he scored 30 twice, it is the manner in which he's been playing that has drawn the attention of cricketing fans across social media.

MS Dhoni says he has '10 months' to decide on his IPL future

Priyansh Arya, the dynamic 24-year-old left-handed opener, delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting as he notched up his maiden <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) century against the Chennai Super Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Arya lit up the evening with a breathtaking 103 off just 42 balls, becoming the fastest centurion against CSK and tying with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/travis-head">Travis Head</a> for the fourth-fastest ton in IPL history. His milestone also marked the second-fastest century by an Indian in the tournament, behind only Yusuf Pathan.
Opening the innings in sensational fashion, Arya launched Khaleel Ahmed for a six off the very first ball and survived a dropped chance off the next. He went on to plunder 17 runs from that over, setting the tone for his explosive innings. He remained relentless, hammering seven boundaries and nine towering sixes, dominating the CSK bowlers even as wickets fell at the other end.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/badminton-asia-championships-dhruv-kapila-tanisha-crasto-keep-indias-hopes-alive-in-mixed-doubles-8940174">Badminton Asia Championships: Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto keep India's hopes alive in mixed doubles</a>
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He perfectly started his innings by sending Khaleel Ahmed&rsquo;s delivery for a six on the first ball of the game before being dropped by the bowler on the very next delivery, and proceeded to hit the quick for 17 in the opening over. Arya once again rode his luck, while batting at 79, when he was caught by Mukesh Choudhary, but he stepped onto the ropes, deeming it a six.
<h2>Priyansh smashed six sixes in an over in Delhi Premier League</h2>
He brought up his century in style, slamming three consecutive sixes off Matheesha Pathirana, and then edging the fourth ball for a boundary to reach triple figures. Arya was eventually dismissed by Noor Ahmad, but not before leaving a lasting impact.
This knock made him only the second player to score a century in the ongoing IPL season, following Ishan Kishan&rsquo;s unbeaten 106 against the Rajasthan Royals.
Arya first burst onto the scene during the inaugural edition of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-premier-league">Delhi Premier League</a> (DPL), where he famously smashed six sixes in an over and amassed 608 runs from 10 innings at a staggering strike rate of 198.69. His DPL performance, featuring two centuries and four fifties, drew attention from IPL scouts, earning him trials with all franchises ahead of the mega auction.
He was eventually signed by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a notable $440,000 &mdash; and on Tuesday (April 8), he proved exactly why he was worth every penny.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: The 24-year-old scored the fastest ton, off 39 balls, against the Super Kings and tied Travis Head for the fourth-fastest century in tournament history

Priyansh Arya, the dynamic 24-year-old left-handed opener, delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting as he notched up his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) century against the Chennai Super Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Arya lit up the evening with a breathtaking 103 off just 42 balls, becoming the fastest centurion against CSK and tying with Travis Head for the fourth-fastest ton in IPL history. His milestone also marked the second-fastest century by an Indian in the tournament, behind only Yusuf Pathan. Opening the innings in sensational fashion, Arya launched Khaleel Ahmed for a six off the very first ball and survived a dropped chance off the next. He went on to plunder 17 runs from that over, setting the tone for his explosive innings. He remained relentless, hammering seven boundaries and nine towering sixes, dominating the CSK bowlers even as wickets fell at the other end. Also Read: Badminton Asia Championships: Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto keep India's hopes alive in mixed doubles He perfectly started his innings by sending Khaleel Ahmed’s delivery for a six on the first ball of the game before being dropped by the bowler on the very next delivery, and proceeded to hit the quick for 17 in the opening over. Arya once again rode his luck, while batting at 79, when he was caught by Mukesh Choudhary, but he stepped onto the ropes, deeming it a six. Priyansh smashed six sixes in an over in Delhi Premier League He brought up his century in style, slamming three consecutive sixes off Matheesha Pathirana, and then edging the fourth ball for a boundary to reach triple figures. Arya was eventually dismissed by Noor Ahmad, but not before leaving a lasting impact. This knock made him only the second player to score a century in the ongoing IPL season, following Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 106 against the Rajasthan Royals. Arya first burst onto the scene during the inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), where he famously smashed six sixes in an over and amassed 608 runs from 10 innings at a staggering strike rate of 198.69. His DPL performance, featuring two centuries and four fifties, drew attention from IPL scouts, earning him trials with all franchises ahead of the mega auction. He was eventually signed by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a notable $440,000 — and on Tuesday (April 8), he proved exactly why he was worth every penny. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: PBKS' Priyansh Arya slams second-fastest century by an Indian batter against CSK

In the wake of Chennai Super Kings&rsquo; unexpected loss to Delhi Capitals, many fans and pundits have begun asking the same question: Is this the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the five-time champions?
Former CSK all-rounder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shane-watson">Shane Watson</a> believes the early signs suggest some unfamiliar turbulence for the usually rock-solid franchise. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a surprising start to the season,&rdquo; Watson admitted. &ldquo;CSK is known for clarity and consistency after auctions&mdash;roles are clearly defined, and they rarely shuffle combinations early in the season. But within just four games, we&rsquo;ve seen several adjustments. That&rsquo;s not the CSK I played for under Fleming and Dhoni.&rdquo;
The recent changes, particularly in the top order, are seen as both a response to issues and a path forward. &ldquo;Having Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra open, with Ruturaj Gaikwad at number three, brings stability. Earlier combinations, like Tripathi opening, left too many holes,&rdquo; Watson explained. &ldquo;If this top order gets a few games together, I believe they&rsquo;ll turn things around.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/virat-kohli-becomes-first-indian-to-reach-13000-run-mark-in-t20s-8936707">Virat Kohli becomes first Indian to reach 13,000-run mark in T20s</a>
Yet, questions persist&mdash;not just about team combinations, but leadership. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a>, in his first year as captain, is still finding his rhythm. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a young captain with the best mentors in the world&mdash;MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. But nothing replaces experience. It takes time to absorb everything, to balance preparation with instinct in the middle,&rdquo; said Watson. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s learning on the job and improving game by game.&rdquo;
One concern voiced by fans has been Gaikwad&rsquo;s handling of spinners in Chennai. &ldquo;Look, those decisions aren&rsquo;t solely his. There&rsquo;s a whole backroom setup feeding information. It's a collective call,&rdquo; Watson, JioStar Expert, said in an interaction to WION.&nbsp;&ldquo;Still, as he grows more confident, I expect him to trust his spinners more&mdash;especially on turning tracks at Chepauk.&rdquo;
<h2>'This is the most complete RCB squad ever'</h2>
Rivalry Week in the IPL only raises the stakes. From MI vs DC to GT vs LSG, Watson is most excited about Delhi vs Mumbai. &ldquo;Both teams have stacked line-ups. DC&rsquo;s squad is well-balanced, and MI with Bumrah back&mdash;this could be the match of the week,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Also, don&rsquo;t overlook <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/axar-patel">Axar Patel</a>. He&rsquo;s leading from the front for Delhi. He might just steal the show.&rdquo;
When asked about RCB, another franchise close to Watson&rsquo;s heart, he acknowledged their evolution. &ldquo;This is probably the most complete RCB squad ever. They&rsquo;ve always had the batting, but now their bowling has real depth. With Andy Flower at the helm and Kohli&rsquo;s presence, this team should dominate. If they don&rsquo;t go deep this year, I&rsquo;ll be surprised.&rdquo;
But what about CSK&rsquo;s chances to qualify for the playoffs? Watson didn&rsquo;t hesitate. &ldquo;Never write off CSK. They&rsquo;ve built a culture that knows how to win. The key will be their top order&mdash;give them a solid platform, and the rest of the batting will flourish.&rdquo;
Finally, on MS Dhoni&rsquo;s role and potential retirement, Watson was sentimental yet optimistic. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s still a treat to watch MS on the field. He&rsquo;s keeping beautifully and batting with intent. He&rsquo;s not the guy to bat 12 overs anymore&mdash;but coming in at 9th with 15 balls to go? He&rsquo;s still one of the best. Don&rsquo;t be surprised if he finishes a few games this season in classic Dhoni style.&rdquo;
And about CSK&rsquo;s approach with young players? &ldquo;CSK has always leaned towards experience, especially for big moments. Younger players are more inconsistent, even if they can produce brilliance. But CSK has unearthed talents like Ruturaj, and with time, I believe they&rsquo;ll continue blending youth with experience.&rdquo;
As IPL 2025 heats up, Watson&rsquo;s insights paint a picture of a league in flux&mdash;where legends like Dhoni continue to shape narratives, and new leaders like Gaikwad and Axar Patel step into the spotlight. Rivalries are intensifying, squads are evolving, and one thing is certain: The drama has only just begun.

Cricket, Sports: Former Chennai Super Kings' all-rounder Shane Watson believes the early signs suggest some unfamiliar turbulence for the usually rock-solid franchise

In the wake of Chennai Super Kings’ unexpected loss to Delhi Capitals, many fans and pundits have begun asking the same question: Is this the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the five-time champions? Former CSK all-rounder Shane Watson believes the early signs suggest some unfamiliar turbulence for the usually rock-solid franchise. “It’s been a surprising start to the season,” Watson admitted. “CSK is known for clarity and consistency after auctions—roles are clearly defined, and they rarely shuffle combinations early in the season. But within just four games, we’ve seen several adjustments. That’s not the CSK I played for under Fleming and Dhoni.” The recent changes, particularly in the top order, are seen as both a response to issues and a path forward. “Having Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra open, with Ruturaj Gaikwad at number three, brings stability. Earlier combinations, like Tripathi opening, left too many holes,” Watson explained. “If this top order gets a few games together, I believe they’ll turn things around.” Also Read: Virat Kohli becomes first Indian to reach 13,000-run mark in T20s Yet, questions persist—not just about team combinations, but leadership. Ruturaj Gaikwad, in his first year as captain, is still finding his rhythm. “He’s a young captain with the best mentors in the world—MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. But nothing replaces experience. It takes time to absorb everything, to balance preparation with instinct in the middle,” said Watson. “He’s learning on the job and improving game by game.” One concern voiced by fans has been Gaikwad’s handling of spinners in Chennai. “Look, those decisions aren’t solely his. There’s a whole backroom setup feeding information. It's a collective call,” Watson, JioStar Expert, said in an interaction to WION. “Still, as he grows more confident, I expect him to trust his spinners more—especially on turning tracks at Chepauk.” 'This is the most complete RCB squad ever' Rivalry Week in the IPL only raises the stakes. From MI vs DC to GT vs LSG, Watson is most excited about Delhi vs Mumbai. “Both teams have stacked line-ups. DC’s squad is well-balanced, and MI with Bumrah back—this could be the match of the week,” he said. “Also, don’t overlook Axar Patel. He’s leading from the front for Delhi. He might just steal the show.” When asked about RCB, another franchise close to Watson’s heart, he acknowledged their evolution. “This is probably the most complete RCB squad ever. They’ve always had the batting, but now their bowling has real depth. With Andy Flower at the helm and Kohli’s presence, this team should dominate. If they don’t go deep this year, I’ll be surprised.” But what about CSK’s chances to qualify for the playoffs? Watson didn’t hesitate. “Never write off CSK. They’ve built a culture that knows how to win. The key will be their top order—give them a solid platform, and the rest of the batting will flourish.” Finally, on MS Dhoni’s role and potential retirement, Watson was sentimental yet optimistic. “It’s still a treat to watch MS on the field. He’s keeping beautifully and batting with intent. He’s not the guy to bat 12 overs anymore—but coming in at 9th with 15 balls to go? He’s still one of the best. Don’t be surprised if he finishes a few games this season in classic Dhoni style.” And about CSK’s approach with young players? “CSK has always leaned towards experience, especially for big moments. Younger players are more inconsistent, even if they can produce brilliance. But CSK has unearthed talents like Ruturaj, and with time, I believe they’ll continue blending youth with experience.” As IPL 2025 heats up, Watson’s insights paint a picture of a league in flux—where legends like Dhoni continue to shape narratives, and new leaders like Gaikwad and Axar Patel step into the spotlight. Rivalries are intensifying, squads are evolving, and one thing is certain: The drama has only just begun.

Exclusive | IPL 2025: Never write off Yellow Army: Here's what former CSK opening batter said about team's chance of making to playoffs

MS Dhoni might still be weaving magic behind the stumps, but with the bat, he&rsquo;s beginning to look like a liability for Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 IPL season. Once hailed as one of the best finishers in cricket, Dhoni has yet to win a single match for CSK this year with his batting contributions. His position in the batting order and inability to accelerate in crucial moments has come under sharp scrutiny.
In a recent match against Delhi Capitals, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">Mahendra Singh Dhoni</a> batted for 26 balls and managed just 30 runs &mdash; a far cry from the explosive finishes fans have come to expect from him. That performance left <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">CSK</a> short of a big total, reigniting debate over Dhoni&rsquo;s place in the squad.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-jasprit-bumrah-given-all-clear-by-bccis-medical-staff-joins-mumbai-indians-squad-ahead-of-rcb-clash-8931265">IPL 2025: Jasprit Bumrah given all clear by BCCI's medical staff, joins Mumbai Indians squad ahead of RCB clash</a>
Joining the chorus of concern, former India batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/manoj-tiwary">Manoj Tiwary</a> made a blunt assessment, suggesting that Dhoni should&rsquo;ve called time on his IPL career two years ago.
&ldquo;Forgive me if I'm being a little strict here. He should have retired after the 2023 IPL &mdash; that was his moment. Fans have immense respect for him, but now they&rsquo;re being deprived of seeing him at his best. Look at the reactions in Chennai &mdash; fans out on the streets, emotional interviews &mdash; it&rsquo;s not the same anymore,&rdquo; Tiwary was quoted saying on Cricbuzz.
<h2 data-start="1299" data-end="1478">'Tell him it's not working'</h2>
CSK head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/stephen-fleming">Stephen Fleming</a> defended Dhoni, saying the veteran keeper-batter cannot bat for long periods due to a persistent knee issue. However, Tiwary questioned the logic behind that explanation.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s keeping wickets for 20 overs &mdash; diving, crouching, making run-outs. If his knee can handle that, why not batting? When it comes to helping the team win, suddenly we hear he can&rsquo;t bat more than 10 overs? All the decisions are being made around him, but nothing&rsquo;s clicking. It&rsquo;s time to be honest and tell him it&rsquo;s not working,&rdquo; Tiwary added.
With Dhoni's on-field struggles mounting, speculation about his retirement is gaining momentum. Many believe the 2025 season could be his swansong, though no official word has come yet.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Former CSK captain MS Dhoni batted for 26 balls and managed just 30 runs — a far cry from the explosive finishes fans have come to expect from him

MS Dhoni might still be weaving magic behind the stumps, but with the bat, he’s beginning to look like a liability for Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 IPL season. Once hailed as one of the best finishers in cricket, Dhoni has yet to win a single match for CSK this year with his batting contributions. His position in the batting order and inability to accelerate in crucial moments has come under sharp scrutiny. In a recent match against Delhi Capitals, Mahendra Singh Dhoni batted for 26 balls and managed just 30 runs — a far cry from the explosive finishes fans have come to expect from him. That performance left CSK short of a big total, reigniting debate over Dhoni’s place in the squad. Also Read: IPL 2025: Jasprit Bumrah given all clear by BCCI's medical staff, joins Mumbai Indians squad ahead of RCB clash Joining the chorus of concern, former India batter Manoj Tiwary made a blunt assessment, suggesting that Dhoni should’ve called time on his IPL career two years ago. “Forgive me if I'm being a little strict here. He should have retired after the 2023 IPL — that was his moment. Fans have immense respect for him, but now they’re being deprived of seeing him at his best. Look at the reactions in Chennai — fans out on the streets, emotional interviews — it’s not the same anymore,” Tiwary was quoted saying on Cricbuzz. 'Tell him it's not working' CSK head coach Stephen Fleming defended Dhoni, saying the veteran keeper-batter cannot bat for long periods due to a persistent knee issue. However, Tiwary questioned the logic behind that explanation. “He’s keeping wickets for 20 overs — diving, crouching, making run-outs. If his knee can handle that, why not batting? When it comes to helping the team win, suddenly we hear he can’t bat more than 10 overs? All the decisions are being made around him, but nothing’s clicking. It’s time to be honest and tell him it’s not working,” Tiwary added. With Dhoni's on-field struggles mounting, speculation about his retirement is gaining momentum. Many believe the 2025 season could be his swansong, though no official word has come yet. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: 'He should have retired in...', former India cricketer criticises MS Dhoni after CSK's loss to Delhi

Delhi Capitals (DC) continued their dream run in IPL 2025 with a third consecutive win, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 24 runs at the Chepauk Stadium on Saturday. Powered by a commanding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kl-rahul">KL Rahul</a> half-century and a masterful spin display from Vipraj Nigam and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kuldeep-yadav">Kuldeep Yadav</a>, DC now sit comfortably at the top of the table. Meanwhile, CSK's struggles continued, slipping to eighth with just one win in four games.
Opting to bat first, DC suffered an early setback as Jake Fraser-McGurk departed for a duck in the very first over, courtesy of Khaleel Ahmed. However, KL Rahul and Abishek Porel steadied the ship, adding quick runs during the powerplay and taking DC past 50.
Porel looked in fine touch before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him for 33 off 20 balls right after the powerplay. Axar Patel joined Rahul at 54/2 and announced his arrival with a six off his very first delivery, but his cameo of 21 off 14 ended in the 11th over at the hands of Noor Ahmad.
From there, Rahul took charge, accelerating with the help of Sameer Rizvi. The duo smashed 17 runs off Noor in the 15th over and brought up their 50-run partnership in just 27 balls. Rahul reached his first IPL fifty for DC in 33 balls, mixing elegance with aggression.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-will-ms-dhoni-retire-after-match-vs-dc-fans-speculate-as-csk-legends-parents-present-at-chepauk-8929381">IPL 2025: Will MS Dhoni retire after match vs DC? Fans speculate as CSK legend's parents present at Chepauk</a>
Rizvi was dismissed for 20 off 15 in the 16th over, and Stubbs came in to add a fiery finish. He hammered 15 runs off Mukesh Choudhary in the 19th over, while Rahul continued to anchor the innings. The DC skipper finally fell for a classy 77 off 51 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) in the penultimate over to Pathirana.
Stubbs stayed unbeaten on 24 off 12 as DC ended at 183/6 in 20 overs.&nbsp;Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with 2/25 in his four overs. Jadeja was miserly, giving away just 19 runs and picking up a wicket. Pathirana (1/31) and Noor (1/36) chipped in with a wicket each, while Ashwin (0/21) kept things tight without any breakthroughs. Mukesh Choudhary endured a rough day, leaking 50 runs in four wicketless overs.
<h2>Vipraj, Kuldeep choke CSK&rsquo;s chase</h2>
CSK&rsquo;s chase started shakily as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rachin-ravindra">Rachin Ravindra</a> was caught and bowled by Mukesh Kumar for just 3. Things worsened when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mitchell-starc">Mitchell Starc</a> removed CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for 5, thanks to a sharp catch by McGurk in the deep. CSK were 20/2 in under three overs.
Devon Conway and Vijay Shankar tried to rebuild, but Vipraj Nigam's clever googly removed Conway for 13. Dube came in and struck a few blows, but Vipraj struck again, dismissing him for 18, with Stubbs holding on at long-on.
Kuldeep Yadav then trapped Jadeja lbw for just 2, leaving CSK tottering at 74/5.&nbsp;Amidst the collapse, MS Dhoni walked out to a thunderous ovation. Alongside Vijay Shankar, he tried to stage a late rescue act. Vijay fought valiantly, scoring a composed 69* off 54 balls (5 fours, 1 six), while Dhoni chipped in with 30* off 26 (1 four, 1 six). But with the required rate soaring, the pair couldn&rsquo;t push CSK over the line.
CSK ended at 158/5, falling short by 24 runs.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Delhi Capitals' juggernaut continued unabated as they rode on KL'S batting & some disciplined bowling to register their third successive win in IPL 2025

Delhi Capitals (DC) continued their dream run in IPL 2025 with a third consecutive win, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 24 runs at the Chepauk Stadium on Saturday. Powered by a commanding KL Rahul half-century and a masterful spin display from Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav, DC now sit comfortably at the top of the table. Meanwhile, CSK's struggles continued, slipping to eighth with just one win in four games. Opting to bat first, DC suffered an early setback as Jake Fraser-McGurk departed for a duck in the very first over, courtesy of Khaleel Ahmed. However, KL Rahul and Abishek Porel steadied the ship, adding quick runs during the powerplay and taking DC past 50. Porel looked in fine touch before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him for 33 off 20 balls right after the powerplay. Axar Patel joined Rahul at 54/2 and announced his arrival with a six off his very first delivery, but his cameo of 21 off 14 ended in the 11th over at the hands of Noor Ahmad. From there, Rahul took charge, accelerating with the help of Sameer Rizvi. The duo smashed 17 runs off Noor in the 15th over and brought up their 50-run partnership in just 27 balls. Rahul reached his first IPL fifty for DC in 33 balls, mixing elegance with aggression. Also Read: IPL 2025: Will MS Dhoni retire after match vs DC? Fans speculate as CSK legend's parents present at Chepauk Rizvi was dismissed for 20 off 15 in the 16th over, and Stubbs came in to add a fiery finish. He hammered 15 runs off Mukesh Choudhary in the 19th over, while Rahul continued to anchor the innings. The DC skipper finally fell for a classy 77 off 51 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) in the penultimate over to Pathirana. Stubbs stayed unbeaten on 24 off 12 as DC ended at 183/6 in 20 overs. Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with 2/25 in his four overs. Jadeja was miserly, giving away just 19 runs and picking up a wicket. Pathirana (1/31) and Noor (1/36) chipped in with a wicket each, while Ashwin (0/21) kept things tight without any breakthroughs. Mukesh Choudhary endured a rough day, leaking 50 runs in four wicketless overs. Vipraj, Kuldeep choke CSK’s chase CSK’s chase started shakily as Rachin Ravindra was caught and bowled by Mukesh Kumar for just 3. Things worsened when Mitchell Starc removed CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for 5, thanks to a sharp catch by McGurk in the deep. CSK were 20/2 in under three overs. Devon Conway and Vijay Shankar tried to rebuild, but Vipraj Nigam's clever googly removed Conway for 13. Dube came in and struck a few blows, but Vipraj struck again, dismissing him for 18, with Stubbs holding on at long-on. Kuldeep Yadav then trapped Jadeja lbw for just 2, leaving CSK tottering at 74/5. Amidst the collapse, MS Dhoni walked out to a thunderous ovation. Alongside Vijay Shankar, he tried to stage a late rescue act. Vijay fought valiantly, scoring a composed 69* off 54 balls (5 fours, 1 six), while Dhoni chipped in with 30* off 26 (1 four, 1 six). But with the required rate soaring, the pair couldn’t push CSK over the line. CSK ended at 158/5, falling short by 24 runs. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals break 15-year jinx at Chepauk, beat CSK by 24 runs

The presence of Pan Singh and Devika Devi, parents of the former CSK captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a>, added a special emotional touch to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">Chennai Super Kings</a>&rsquo; IPL clash against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk on Saturday. Remarkably, this marked the first time Dhoni&rsquo;s parents had attended an IPL match in Chennai since his association with CSK began back in 2008.
Dhoni&rsquo;s wife, Sakshi, and daughter, Ziva, were also in attendance &mdash; regulars at CSK home games &mdash; but it was the appearance of his parents that brought a deeper sense of occasion to the evening.
In the lead-up to the match, speculation swirled around whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni might captain the side again, with regular skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a> nursing an elbow injury sustained against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati the previous Sunday. However, Gaikwad walking out for the toss quickly put those rumours to rest.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/pakistan-cricketer-khushdil-shah-confronts-abusive-fans-in-physical-altercation-pcb-issue-statement-watch-8929275">Pakistan cricketer Khushdil Shah confronts abusive fans in physical altercation, PCB issue statement-WATCH</a>
"My elbow is good, eager to go," Gaikwad confirmed at the toss. As a result, Dhoni resumed his familiar role behind the stumps, likely to be seen again during CSK&rsquo;s innings when they come out to chase.
<h2 data-start="841" data-end="1042">Will it be MSD's last dance?</h2>
The 43-year-old Dhoni&rsquo;s future in the IPL remains a hot topic. His decision to bat at No. 9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru raised eyebrows and drew criticism from fans and pundits alike. However, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming defended the move, explaining that Dhoni&rsquo;s physical condition now plays a big role in determining his involvement.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a time thing &mdash; MS judges it himself. His knees aren&rsquo;t what they used to be. He&rsquo;s still moving well, but there&rsquo;s wear and tear,&rdquo; Fleming said. &ldquo;He can&rsquo;t go full throttle for 10 overs anymore. He assesses on the day what he can give us. If the game&rsquo;s tight, he&rsquo;ll step in earlier. Otherwise, he puts faith in the others.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Dhoni’s wife and daughter were also in attendance — but it was the appearance of his parents that brought a deeper sense of occasion to the evening

The presence of Pan Singh and Devika Devi, parents of the former CSK captain MS Dhoni, added a special emotional touch to the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL clash against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk on Saturday. Remarkably, this marked the first time Dhoni’s parents had attended an IPL match in Chennai since his association with CSK began back in 2008. Dhoni’s wife, Sakshi, and daughter, Ziva, were also in attendance — regulars at CSK home games — but it was the appearance of his parents that brought a deeper sense of occasion to the evening. In the lead-up to the match, speculation swirled around whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni might captain the side again, with regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad nursing an elbow injury sustained against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati the previous Sunday. However, Gaikwad walking out for the toss quickly put those rumours to rest. Also Read: Pakistan cricketer Khushdil Shah confronts abusive fans in physical altercation, PCB issue statement-WATCH "My elbow is good, eager to go," Gaikwad confirmed at the toss. As a result, Dhoni resumed his familiar role behind the stumps, likely to be seen again during CSK’s innings when they come out to chase. Will it be MSD's last dance? The 43-year-old Dhoni’s future in the IPL remains a hot topic. His decision to bat at No. 9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru raised eyebrows and drew criticism from fans and pundits alike. However, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming defended the move, explaining that Dhoni’s physical condition now plays a big role in determining his involvement. “It’s a time thing — MS judges it himself. His knees aren’t what they used to be. He’s still moving well, but there’s wear and tear,” Fleming said. “He can’t go full throttle for 10 overs anymore. He assesses on the day what he can give us. If the game’s tight, he’ll step in earlier. Otherwise, he puts faith in the others.” (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Will MS Dhoni retire after match vs DC? Fans speculate as CSK legend's parents present at Chepauk

As Chennai Super Kings (CSK) gear up to face <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals">Delhi Capitals</a> (DC) in their upcoming IPL 2025 fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, there's uncertainty surrounding the availability of captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a> due to an elbow injury.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey shared an update during the pre-match press conference, confirming that Gaikwad is recovering after being struck on his unprotected elbow during the previous match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. The incident occurred in the second over of CSK&rsquo;s innings while Gaikwad attempted to take on pacer Tushar Deshpande during a 183-run chase.
"Yeah, we're hoping he [Gaikwad] is going to try and have a bat today during training. His elbow is still a bit sore, but it's getting better every day. So, we're very hopeful that he'll be fine for tomorrow," Hussey told reporters, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-lucknow-super-giants-vs-mumbai-indians-match-scorecard-live-today-mi-vs-lsg-2025-complete-live-score-8926498">IPL 2025 | LSG vs MI match scorecard - Lucknow beat Mumbai by 12 runs despite Pandya five-for</a>
When asked about potential captaincy options if Gaikwad is ruled out, Hussey hinted at a possible return to leadership for veteran <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a>. "I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;ve discussed that [captaincy] too much. I&rsquo;m sure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/stephen-fleming">Stephen Fleming</a> (head coach) and Rutu have thought about it. We&rsquo;ve got a young guy behind the stumps who might be up for the job. He&rsquo;s got a bit of experience, so maybe he could do it," Hussey said, playfully referring to the legendary former skipper.
<h2>Squads:</h2>
Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (captain), Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkande, Dushmantha Chameera, T Natarajan, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, Madhav Tiwari.
Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Jamie Overton, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary, Devon Conway, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shreyas Gopal, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Andre Siddarth C, Vansh Bedi, Deepak Hooda.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: CSK batting coach Michael Hussey shared an update confirming that Gaikwad is recovering after being struck on his unprotected elbow

As Chennai Super Kings (CSK) gear up to face Delhi Capitals (DC) in their upcoming IPL 2025 fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, there's uncertainty surrounding the availability of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad due to an elbow injury. CSK batting coach Michael Hussey shared an update during the pre-match press conference, confirming that Gaikwad is recovering after being struck on his unprotected elbow during the previous match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. The incident occurred in the second over of CSK’s innings while Gaikwad attempted to take on pacer Tushar Deshpande during a 183-run chase. "Yeah, we're hoping he [Gaikwad] is going to try and have a bat today during training. His elbow is still a bit sore, but it's getting better every day. So, we're very hopeful that he'll be fine for tomorrow," Hussey told reporters, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Also Read: IPL 2025 | LSG vs MI match scorecard - Lucknow beat Mumbai by 12 runs despite Pandya five-for When asked about potential captaincy options if Gaikwad is ruled out, Hussey hinted at a possible return to leadership for veteran MS Dhoni. "I don’t think we’ve discussed that [captaincy] too much. I’m sure Stephen Fleming (head coach) and Rutu have thought about it. We’ve got a young guy behind the stumps who might be up for the job. He’s got a bit of experience, so maybe he could do it," Hussey said, playfully referring to the legendary former skipper. Squads: Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (captain), Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkande, Dushmantha Chameera, T Natarajan, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, Madhav Tiwari. Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Jamie Overton, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary, Devon Conway, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shreyas Gopal, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Andre Siddarth C, Vansh Bedi, Deepak Hooda. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni likely to captain CSK as Ruturaj Gaikwad remains doubtful for Delhi Capitals clash-Reports

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has been the point of discussion in the three matches played so far this season. Dhoni, who has been with CSK since inception in 2008, is now 43 years old and his batting number this season, nine, hasn't gone down well with many former cricketers.
CSK coach Stephen Fleming has also said that Dhoni can't bat full 10 overs after being in field - which raises the question why is Dhoni still being asked to bat? Has he become white elephant in the team - who can't be swapped with a impact player for more runs down the order?
<h2>Dhoni's numbers in IPL since 2024</h2>
Dhoni batted 11 times in 14 matches last season and 10 of those times he came at number 7 or lower. Overall, Dhoni scored 161 runs off 73 balls faced at a healthy strike rate of 220 and an average of 53.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2025-doesnt-make-sense-says-india-batter-on-srh-hard-hitting-batting-style-after-two-consecutive-losses-8909239" aria-label="IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses">IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses</a>
The talisman wicketkeeper-batter also hit 13 sixes - of roughly one six balls, showing he isn't going to waste any balls. The thing to note is out of 10 times he batted at number 7 or lower last season - CSK only won four matches and in those four matches, Dhoni did not score a single run in the only innings he batted.
As for other six games which CSK lost when Dhoni batted at number 7 or lower, he batted five times and scored 80 runs while only being dismissed twice. His scores in those innings were 37 not out, 1 not out, 28 not out, 14 and 0 as he failed to take the team home each time.
In 2025, Dhoni came at number 8 against Mumbai Indians in the first game, faced two balls but didn't score a run but CSK won without that. In the next game against RR, Dhoni scored 30 not out at number 9 but target was too much even for him to chase down in the last four overs as CSK lost by 50 runs.
In the last match, Dhoni scored 16 off 11 but was dismissed on the first ball of the last over in the chase with CSK needing 20 runs. As a result, the Super Kings failed to reach the target again.
Dhoni clearly isn't at his best with the bat and CSK will sooner or later would have to make a decision to replace him in the batting line-up.

CSK coach Stephen Fleming has also said that Dhoni can't bat full 10 overs after being in field - which raises the question why is Dhoni still being asked to bat? Cricket Sports

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has been the point of discussion in the three matches played so far this season. Dhoni, who has been with CSK since inception in 2008, is now 43 years old and his batting number this season, nine, hasn't gone down well with many former cricketers. CSK coach Stephen Fleming has also said that Dhoni can't bat full 10 overs after being in field - which raises the question why is Dhoni still being asked to bat? Has he become white elephant in the team - who can't be swapped with a impact player for more runs down the order? Dhoni's numbers in IPL since 2024 Dhoni batted 11 times in 14 matches last season and 10 of those times he came at number 7 or lower. Overall, Dhoni scored 161 runs off 73 balls faced at a healthy strike rate of 220 and an average of 53. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses The talisman wicketkeeper-batter also hit 13 sixes - of roughly one six balls, showing he isn't going to waste any balls. The thing to note is out of 10 times he batted at number 7 or lower last season - CSK only won four matches and in those four matches, Dhoni did not score a single run in the only innings he batted. As for other six games which CSK lost when Dhoni batted at number 7 or lower, he batted five times and scored 80 runs while only being dismissed twice. His scores in those innings were 37 not out, 1 not out, 28 not out, 14 and 0 as he failed to take the team home each time. In 2025, Dhoni came at number 8 against Mumbai Indians in the first game, faced two balls but didn't score a run but CSK won without that. In the next game against RR, Dhoni scored 30 not out at number 9 but target was too much even for him to chase down in the last four overs as CSK lost by 50 runs. In the last match, Dhoni scored 16 off 11 but was dismissed on the first ball of the last over in the chase with CSK needing 20 runs. As a result, the Super Kings failed to reach the target again. Dhoni clearly isn't at his best with the bat and CSK will sooner or later would have to make a decision to replace him in the batting line-up.

IPL 2025: Has Dhoni become white elephant of Chennai Super Kings?

Rajasthan Royals captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/riyan-parag">Riyan Parag</a> has been fined $14,000 for maintaining a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday (March 30).
IPL issued a statement on Monday confirming that the Royals skipper breached the Code of Conduct and was penalised accordingly.
"Riyan Parag, Captain, Rajasthan Royals has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 11 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati on 30th March, 2025," the statement from IPL read.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2025-doesnt-make-sense-says-india-batter-on-srh-hard-hitting-batting-style-after-two-consecutive-losses-8909239">IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses</a>
"As this was his team's first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Parag was fined ₹12 lakh," the statement concluded.
Riyan is the second captain penalised this season after Mumbai Indians' <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/hardik-pandya">Hardik Pandya</a>, who was fined for MI&rsquo;s slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans.
<h2>Wanindu Hasaranga joins elite club</h2>
Rajasthan Royals' leg-spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/wanindu-hasaranga">Wanindu Hasaranga</a> joined an elite club after securing a four-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Hasaranga dismantled Chennai's chase of 183 on Guwahati&rsquo;s surface. He ripped through CSK&rsquo;s batting order by dismissing Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
He completed his four-over spell with figures of 4/35, becoming just the third spinner to claim a four-wicket haul against Chennai in IPL history.&nbsp;Former spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/harbhajan-singh">Harbhajan Singh</a> was the first to achieve this, taking 5/18 for Mumbai Indians in 2011. Brad Hogg later joined the list with 4/29 for Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2015.
The Sri Lankan spinner also became only the second Royals bowler to take 4+ wickets against CSK after Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir&rsquo;s 6/14 in Jaipur during the inaugural season.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Riyan is the second captain penalised this season after Mumbai Indians' Hardik Pandya, who was fined for MI’s slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined $14,000 for maintaining a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday (March 30). IPL issued a statement on Monday confirming that the Royals skipper breached the Code of Conduct and was penalised accordingly. "Riyan Parag, Captain, Rajasthan Royals has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 11 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati on 30th March, 2025," the statement from IPL read. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses "As this was his team's first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Parag was fined ₹12 lakh," the statement concluded. Riyan is the second captain penalised this season after Mumbai Indians' Hardik Pandya, who was fined for MI’s slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans. Wanindu Hasaranga joins elite club Rajasthan Royals' leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga joined an elite club after securing a four-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025. Hasaranga dismantled Chennai's chase of 183 on Guwahati’s surface. He ripped through CSK’s batting order by dismissing Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. He completed his four-over spell with figures of 4/35, becoming just the third spinner to claim a four-wicket haul against Chennai in IPL history. Former spinner Harbhajan Singh was the first to achieve this, taking 5/18 for Mumbai Indians in 2011. Brad Hogg later joined the list with 4/29 for Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2015. The Sri Lankan spinner also became only the second Royals bowler to take 4+ wickets against CSK after Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 in Jaipur during the inaugural season. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: After Hardik, now RR captain Riyan Parag penalised for slow over rate against CSK

In a beautiful display of sportsmanship, former CSK captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> shared a heartwarming moment with Rajasthan Royals coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rahul-dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> after Chennai Super Kings&rsquo; match in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Despite CSK suffering a second consecutive defeat in the tournament, Dhoni&rsquo;s focus remained beyond just the game. In a viral video circulating on social media, the former CSK captain can be seen approaching Dravid after the match, engaging in a warm conversation with the legendary cricketer. According to reports, Dravid had sustained a minor injury, and Dhoni took the time to check on his well-being, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis/how-much-did-miami-open-2025-winners-earn-full-breakdown-inside-8908825">How much did Miami Open 2025 winners earn? Full breakdown inside</a>
What made the moment even more special was Dhoni&rsquo;s insistence that CSK&rsquo;s young players take the opportunity to greet Dravid. Known for nurturing young talent and instilling the right values in his teammates, Dhoni encouraged the next generation of cricketers to show respect and acknowledge the greatness of the former Indian captain.
<h2>Watch the viral video here:</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
People who know me know how big a fan I am of Dravid &amp; Dhoni. Watching them together on the field was a dream come true ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/QCXsPwwjUR">pic.twitter.com/QCXsPwwjUR</a>
&mdash; .... (@Mrsolivegreen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mrsolivegreen/status/1906575373179228338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The emotional exchange between the two icons quickly went viral, with fans and cricketing experts hailing Dhoni&rsquo;s humility and respect for the game. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many calling it a 'golden moment' in IPL history. 'Legends respecting legends &ndash; this is what cricket is all about', wrote one fan, while another commented, 'This is why Dhoni is loved across generations!'
Coming to the match, CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss. After Jaiswal was dismissed early, Nitish Rana and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sanju-samson">Sanju Samson</a> stitched a 82-run partnership. Later on, skipper Riyan Parag (37 in 28 balls) held one end steady, but he kept running out of partners. In the end, RR was restricted to 182/9 in their 20 overs.
During the run-chase, CSK lost <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rachin-ravindra">Rachin Ravindra</a> early for a duck. Following that came a 46-run partnership between Rahul Tripathi and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad put up a strong fight (63 in 44 balls) but his wicket changed the game for CSK, leaving them out at 129/5 in 15.5 overs. MS Dhoni (16 in 10 balls), Ravindra Jadeja (32* in 22 balls) and Jamie Overton (11* in 4 balls) tried their best, but CSK fell six runs short at 176/6 in their 20 overs.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: In a video circulating on social media,  ex-CSK captain can be seen meeting Dravid after the match, also encouraging other young players to meet him

In a beautiful display of sportsmanship, former CSK captain MS Dhoni shared a heartwarming moment with Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid after Chennai Super Kings’ match in the ongoing IPL 2025. Despite CSK suffering a second consecutive defeat in the tournament, Dhoni’s focus remained beyond just the game. In a viral video circulating on social media, the former CSK captain can be seen approaching Dravid after the match, engaging in a warm conversation with the legendary cricketer. According to reports, Dravid had sustained a minor injury, and Dhoni took the time to check on his well-being, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans. Also Read: How much did Miami Open 2025 winners earn? Full breakdown inside What made the moment even more special was Dhoni’s insistence that CSK’s young players take the opportunity to greet Dravid. Known for nurturing young talent and instilling the right values in his teammates, Dhoni encouraged the next generation of cricketers to show respect and acknowledge the greatness of the former Indian captain. Watch the viral video here: People who know me know how big a fan I am of Dravid & Dhoni. Watching them together on the field was a dream come true ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QCXsPwwjUR — .... (@Mrsolivegreen) March 31, 2025 The emotional exchange between the two icons quickly went viral, with fans and cricketing experts hailing Dhoni’s humility and respect for the game. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many calling it a 'golden moment' in IPL history. 'Legends respecting legends – this is what cricket is all about', wrote one fan, while another commented, 'This is why Dhoni is loved across generations!' Coming to the match, CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss. After Jaiswal was dismissed early, Nitish Rana and Sanju Samson stitched a 82-run partnership. Later on, skipper Riyan Parag (37 in 28 balls) held one end steady, but he kept running out of partners. In the end, RR was restricted to 182/9 in their 20 overs. During the run-chase, CSK lost Rachin Ravindra early for a duck. Following that came a 46-run partnership between Rahul Tripathi and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad put up a strong fight (63 in 44 balls) but his wicket changed the game for CSK, leaving them out at 129/5 in 15.5 overs. MS Dhoni (16 in 10 balls), Ravindra Jadeja (32* in 22 balls) and Jamie Overton (11* in 4 balls) tried their best, but CSK fell six runs short at 176/6 in their 20 overs. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni’s heartwarming gesture towards Rahul Dravid after match wins the internet-WATCH

Rajasthan Royals' star leg-spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/wanindu-hasaranga">Wanindu Hasaranga</a> drew inspiration from South Indian cinema as he unleashed a &lsquo;Pushpa&rsquo;-style celebration during his match-winning spell against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">Chennai Super Kings</a> in the ongoing IPL 2025.
The Sri Lankan spinner played a pivotal role in RR&rsquo;s thrilling six-run victory, bagging four crucial wickets in an action-packed Sunday clash. Each time he struck after conceding a six, Hasaranga responded with a cinematic flourish, pulling off Allu Arjun's iconic 'Pushpa' gesture.
"I love to watch Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, and I got that from the Pushpa film," Hasaranga revealed after the match.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-ms-dhoni-fails-in-run-chase-as-rajasthan-royals-pile-misery-on-struggling-csk-8908015">IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails in run chase as Rajasthan Royals pile misery on struggling CSK</a>
His four-wicket haul (4/35) dismantled CSK&rsquo;s batting order, including the prized scalp of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who threatened to take the game away with a blazing 63. Hasaranga named Gaikwad's dismissal as his favorite, crediting a brilliant catch by Riyan Parag.
<h2>'We have good bowling attack'</h2>
"(On the wicket he enjoyed the most) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a> because he's a really good player, he batted really well, end of the innings I got him out. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/riyan-parag">Riyan Parag</a> took a brilliant catch, and Shimron Hetmyer was also gun in the field," he said.
Rajasthan Royals&rsquo; bowlers held their nerve to defend 182, bouncing back strongly after two tough outings. Hasaranga highlighted the crucial role he and fellow spinner Maheesh Theekshana play in RR&rsquo;s attack.
"We have a really good bowling attack, especially in the middle overs. Myself and Maheesh have different roles, sometimes with the old ball and sometimes in the middle," he said.
Rajasthan Royals made CSK tilt at the windmills throughout their 182-run defence. CSK's top stars came in and played a couple of shots but eventually perished and surrendered to a six-run loss.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: The Sri Lankan spinner played a pivotal role in RR’s thrilling six-run victory, bagging four crucial wickets in an action-packed Sunday clash

Rajasthan Royals' star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga drew inspiration from South Indian cinema as he unleashed a ‘Pushpa’-style celebration during his match-winning spell against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025. The Sri Lankan spinner played a pivotal role in RR’s thrilling six-run victory, bagging four crucial wickets in an action-packed Sunday clash. Each time he struck after conceding a six, Hasaranga responded with a cinematic flourish, pulling off Allu Arjun's iconic 'Pushpa' gesture. "I love to watch Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, and I got that from the Pushpa film," Hasaranga revealed after the match. Also Read: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails in run chase as Rajasthan Royals pile misery on struggling CSK His four-wicket haul (4/35) dismantled CSK’s batting order, including the prized scalp of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who threatened to take the game away with a blazing 63. Hasaranga named Gaikwad's dismissal as his favorite, crediting a brilliant catch by Riyan Parag. 'We have good bowling attack' "(On the wicket he enjoyed the most) Ruturaj Gaikwad because he's a really good player, he batted really well, end of the innings I got him out. Riyan Parag took a brilliant catch, and Shimron Hetmyer was also gun in the field," he said. Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers held their nerve to defend 182, bouncing back strongly after two tough outings. Hasaranga highlighted the crucial role he and fellow spinner Maheesh Theekshana play in RR’s attack. "We have a really good bowling attack, especially in the middle overs. Myself and Maheesh have different roles, sometimes with the old ball and sometimes in the middle," he said. Rajasthan Royals made CSK tilt at the windmills throughout their 182-run defence. CSK's top stars came in and played a couple of shots but eventually perished and surrendered to a six-run loss. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Hasaranga's 'iconic' celebration steals the show against CSK. Deets inside

Former Chennai Super Kings captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> on Friday (March 28) overtook ex-teammate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/suresh-raina">Suresh Raina</a> to become the franchise's highest run-scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter achieved this milestone during the eighth match of the ongoing 18th edition of the cash-rich league at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Dhoni played a blazing unbeaten knock of 30 runs off just 16 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 187.5, hitting three boundaries and two sixes in his innings.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-msd-still-at-his-best-but-he-needs-to-bat-higher-says-former-csk-opening-batter-8902528">IPL 2025: 'MSD still at his best, but he needs to bat higher', says former CSK opening batter</a>
With this performance, the 43-year-old surpassed Raina to secure the record for most runs for CSK. Dhoni now has 4,699 runs in 204 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 139.43. In contrast, before retiring, the left-handed Raina had amassed 4,687 runs in 171 innings for the Chennai-based team.
Other notable players on the all-time CSK run-scorers list include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/faf-du-plessis">Faf du Plessis</a> (2,721 runs in 86 innings), current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (2,433* runs in 67 innings), and Ravindra Jadeja (1,939 runs in 127 innings). Gaikwad and Jadeja remain with the franchise, while Du Plessis has moved to Delhi Capitals as vice-captain for this season.
Revisiting the IPL 2025 encounter between CSK and Rajat Patidar&rsquo;s side, RCB secured a 50-run win at Chepauk Stadium on Friday, thanks to disciplined bowling from pacers Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal.
With back-to-back wins, RCB sits atop the points table. This victory marked RCB&rsquo;s first win at CSK&rsquo;s home ground since 2008. Rajat Patidar recieved the Player of the Match award for his stellar half-century in the first innings.
<h2 data-start="1589" data-end="1825">Ashwin surpasses Narine to become fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL</h2>
Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian spinner, has surpassed Sunil Narine to become the fifth-highest wicket-taker of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Ashwin achieved this milestone after dismissing Devdutt Padikkal during the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday, moving ahead of Narine, who has 181 wickets in the IPL.&nbsp;Ashwin now has 182 wickets in 214 matches, with an average of 29.79 and an economy of 7.13.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: MSD surpassed Raina to secure the record for most runs for CSK. Dhoni now has 4,699 runs in 204 innings, maintaining an average of 40.50

Former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni on Friday (March 28) overtook ex-teammate Suresh Raina to become the franchise's highest run-scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The veteran wicketkeeper-batter achieved this milestone during the eighth match of the ongoing 18th edition of the cash-rich league at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Dhoni played a blazing unbeaten knock of 30 runs off just 16 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 187.5, hitting three boundaries and two sixes in his innings. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'MSD still at his best, but he needs to bat higher', says former CSK opening batter With this performance, the 43-year-old surpassed Raina to secure the record for most runs for CSK. Dhoni now has 4,699 runs in 204 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 139.43. In contrast, before retiring, the left-handed Raina had amassed 4,687 runs in 171 innings for the Chennai-based team. Other notable players on the all-time CSK run-scorers list include Faf du Plessis (2,721 runs in 86 innings), current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (2,433* runs in 67 innings), and Ravindra Jadeja (1,939 runs in 127 innings). Gaikwad and Jadeja remain with the franchise, while Du Plessis has moved to Delhi Capitals as vice-captain for this season. Revisiting the IPL 2025 encounter between CSK and Rajat Patidar’s side, RCB secured a 50-run win at Chepauk Stadium on Friday, thanks to disciplined bowling from pacers Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal. With back-to-back wins, RCB sits atop the points table. This victory marked RCB’s first win at CSK’s home ground since 2008. Rajat Patidar recieved the Player of the Match award for his stellar half-century in the first innings. Ashwin surpasses Narine to become fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian spinner, has surpassed Sunil Narine to become the fifth-highest wicket-taker of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Ashwin achieved this milestone after dismissing Devdutt Padikkal during the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday, moving ahead of Narine, who has 181 wickets in the IPL. Ashwin now has 182 wickets in 214 matches, with an average of 29.79 and an economy of 7.13. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: MSD surpasses Suresh Raina to become CSK's  highest run-scorer

Skipper Rajat Patidar's fifty combined with support from an unerring set of bowlers helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru snapped a 17-year winless streak at Chepauk with a 50-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Friday (March 28).
CSK's defeat to RCB in the 'Southern Derby' in their own 'Anbuden' (Den of Love) was their first since the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.
Former CSK opening batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shane-watson">Shane Watson</a> shared his insights on Chennai Super Kings&rsquo; (CSK) performance. He expressed disappointment over certain decisions, particularly Rahul Tripathi opening the batting while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a> was pushed down the order. "Ruturaj is a quality opener, yet he had to come in later. One of the shots he played&mdash;giving himself room against Hazlewood&mdash;was uncharacteristic. Normally, he stands still and reacts, but this showed he was under pressure," Watson, JioStar expert spoke on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/former-bangladesh-captain-tamim-iqbal-discharged-from-hospital-after-suffering-heart-attack-8902509">Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal discharged from hospital after suffering heart attack</a>
He also criticised Deepak Hooda&rsquo;s current form, saying, "Right now, he just isn&rsquo;t up to it; he played each ball as if he was trying to survive." Additionally, he questioned Sam Curran&rsquo;s position at No. 5, asserting, "I see him as more of a No. 7 batter." Watson believes CSK&rsquo;s batting lineup needs adjustments to avoid being exposed in crucial moments.
Watson also emphasised the impact of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a>&rsquo;s performance, advocating for the legendary cricketer to bat higher in the order. "This is exactly what CSK fans come to see&mdash;30 off 16 deliveries from Dhoni. I would have loved to see him come in ahead of Ashwin. Given the game situation, Dhoni could have continued his onslaught for another 15 balls. Over the last couple of years, he has consistently shown that he&rsquo;s still batting beautifully. If CSK had sent him in earlier, they would have had a better chance of crossing the line."
Watson also praised Dhoni&rsquo;s sharp wicketkeeping. "He&rsquo;s still as quick as ever behind the stumps, whipping the bails off in an instant. That tells me he&rsquo;s well-prepared and in great shape."
<h2 data-start="986" data-end="1718">'Just one of those days for Kohli'</h2>
Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra analysed Kohli&rsquo;s innings.He said, "It was one of those days where nothing seemed to click. He kept finding the inner half of the bat, dragging the ball toward the leg side. He took a blow to the head, managed a couple of good shots&mdash;a six and a four&mdash;but ultimately fell playing a lofted sweep to Noor at deep square leg."
However, Chopra highlighted the team&rsquo;s response. "Despite Kohli scoring 31 off 30 balls, RCB still posted 196. That means in the remaining 15 overs, the rest of the team contributed 166 runs. Earlier, RCB often fell 15-20 runs short when Kohli struggled, but now, with better batting depth and intent, the team keeps attacking regardless of his form."

Cricket, Sports: During the match against RCB, Dhoni went a step ahead, if it was available ever, to dismiss dangerous looking Phil Salt in just 0.16 seconds

Skipper Rajat Patidar's fifty combined with support from an unerring set of bowlers helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru snapped a 17-year winless streak at Chepauk with a 50-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Friday (March 28). CSK's defeat to RCB in the 'Southern Derby' in their own 'Anbuden' (Den of Love) was their first since the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. Former CSK opening batter Shane Watson shared his insights on Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) performance. He expressed disappointment over certain decisions, particularly Rahul Tripathi opening the batting while Ruturaj Gaikwad was pushed down the order. "Ruturaj is a quality opener, yet he had to come in later. One of the shots he played—giving himself room against Hazlewood—was uncharacteristic. Normally, he stands still and reacts, but this showed he was under pressure," Watson, JioStar expert spoke on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live. Also Read: Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal discharged from hospital after suffering heart attack He also criticised Deepak Hooda’s current form, saying, "Right now, he just isn’t up to it; he played each ball as if he was trying to survive." Additionally, he questioned Sam Curran’s position at No. 5, asserting, "I see him as more of a No. 7 batter." Watson believes CSK’s batting lineup needs adjustments to avoid being exposed in crucial moments. Watson also emphasised the impact of MS Dhoni’s performance, advocating for the legendary cricketer to bat higher in the order. "This is exactly what CSK fans come to see—30 off 16 deliveries from Dhoni. I would have loved to see him come in ahead of Ashwin. Given the game situation, Dhoni could have continued his onslaught for another 15 balls. Over the last couple of years, he has consistently shown that he’s still batting beautifully. If CSK had sent him in earlier, they would have had a better chance of crossing the line." Watson also praised Dhoni’s sharp wicketkeeping. "He’s still as quick as ever behind the stumps, whipping the bails off in an instant. That tells me he’s well-prepared and in great shape." 'Just one of those days for Kohli' Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra analysed Kohli’s innings.He said, "It was one of those days where nothing seemed to click. He kept finding the inner half of the bat, dragging the ball toward the leg side. He took a blow to the head, managed a couple of good shots—a six and a four—but ultimately fell playing a lofted sweep to Noor at deep square leg." However, Chopra highlighted the team’s response. "Despite Kohli scoring 31 off 30 balls, RCB still posted 196. That means in the remaining 15 overs, the rest of the team contributed 166 runs. Earlier, RCB often fell 15-20 runs short when Kohli struggled, but now, with better batting depth and intent, the team keeps attacking regardless of his form."

IPL 2025: 'MSD still at his best, but he needs to bat higher', says former CSK opening batter