The decision made by Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni to utilize Deepak Hooda as an Impact Substitute while batting first against the Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL 2025 match at Chidambaram Stadium on Friday raised many eyebrows. Dhoni, who returned as captain following Ruturaj Gaikwad's elbow injury that sidelined him for the tournament, had a disappointing outing. He scored just 1 run off 4 balls, and his captaincy decisions were notably ineffective. CSK faced one of their most significant defeats in IPL history, as KKR successfully chased down their target of 174 runs in just 10.1 overs, winning by eight wickets.

The issues began with CSK's batting lineup. Despite the struggles of CSK's batsmen against KKR's spinners—Moeen Ali, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Sunil Narine—Dhoni opted to keep himself and Ravindra Jadeja lower in the order. In an unexpected move, Ashwin was promoted to bat at No. 6 ahead of Jadeja. After scoring only 1 run off 7 balls, Jadeja came in but did not last long either.

At one point, CSK found themselves at 71 for six, desperately needing a partnership. The ideal candidate to stabilize the innings would have been Dhoni, who has often rescued his team in similar situations. Instead, Deepak Hooda, who had scored a mere 7 runs in his last two innings, was brought in.

Surprisingly, CSK opted to use their Impact Substitute while Dhoni remained in the dugout. Hooda replaced Rahul Tripathi in the lineup, although it would have made more sense for Matheesha Pathirana to be the Impact Substitute, given that CSK had included three overseas players in their batting order, allowing for Pathirana to enter when it was time to bowl. However, this strategy changed when CSK's batsmen began to falter.

While it is not uncommon for teams to introduce an additional batter after losing early wickets, doing so with MS Dhoni still in the dressing room was perplexing.

Ultimately, Hooda was dismissed for a four-ball duck. Following his exit, Dhoni came to the crease with CSK at 72 for 7 in 14.2 overs.

The situation for CSK was dire, and the atmosphere in the Chepauk stadium turned somber.

KKR hammer CSK by 8 wickets

Invited In their batting innings, a completely disoriented CSK could only muster a meager total of 103 runs for nine wickets, marking their lowest score at Chepauk, as KKR delivered a masterful bowling performance.

This score represents CSK's third lowest in IPL history and is the lowest recorded by any team in the current season.

Set with a modest target of 104 runs for victory, KKR comfortably reached their goal in just 10.1 overs, with opener Sunil Narine aggressively scoring 44 runs off 18 balls, including two fours and five sixes.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane contributed significantly with an unbeaten 20 runs from 17 balls, while fellow opener Quinton de Kock added 23 runs. Rinku Singh also remained not out, scoring 15 runs off 12 balls.

Narine initiated the onslaught by hitting a six off Khaleel Ahmed in the very first over, followed by de Kock, who also struck a six against Anshul Kamboj as runs flowed freely. De Kock then targeted Ahmed again, hitting two more sixes.

Narine continued his assault on former Indian spinner R Ashwin, hitting him for a six and a four in the fourth over.

Although de Kock was dismissed in the fifth over, Rahane maintained the pressure on the CSK bowlers, leading KKR to a score of 71 for 1 by the end of the powerplay.

With only 33 runs needed after the powerplay, KKR lost Narine in the eighth over but completed the chase effortlessly.

Rinku Singh capped off the victory in style, hitting a six off Ravindra Jadeja in the 11th over.

Earlier, Narine excelled with the ball, taking three wickets for just 13 runs, while Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy each claimed two wickets as CSK batted first. CSK struggled throughout their innings, managing only nine boundaries (fours or sixes).

Shivam Dube was the top scorer for CSK, remaining unbeaten on 31 runs from 29 balls, while Vijay Shankar contributed 29 runs after surviving several close calls. Only two other CSK batsmen reached double digits.

Read Also: From Roar to Silence: Dhoni’s Dismissal Leaves Fans and Family Shocked

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