By Admin 
Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have eight IPL titles between them.
However, their form in 2025 has been well below the usual high standards.
With time running out, both teams will desperately seek a return to winning ways when they meet at the MAC Stadium on Friday (April 11, 2025).
CSK has had a nightmarish start so far, lying ninth on the table and is on a four-match losing streak. Only a miraculous turnaround can salvage the season, and it has to start now.
Can M.S. Dhoni’s return as captain be that magic bullet? But the five-time champion’s list of woes is huge, encompassing all three facets of the game.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury has further dented a struggling batting unit. The think-tank has a task on its hands to decide who replaces him in the starting line-up.
Also Read | IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings failed to capitalise on chances against PBKS
Meanwhile, KKR — which has four points from five games — is searching for consistency, having alternated between losses and wins.
The three-time champion, though, has the resources to turn around its fortunes. Despite the four-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants a few days ago, Ajinkya Rahane’s men can take confidence that they nearly chased down 238 with key batters finding form.
Trial by spin
Spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine should enjoy the conditions at Chepauk, and their eight overs could be the key against a misfiring CSK batting attack.
Knight Riders have fond memories of this venue and will look to reignite their title defence at the place where they had their crowning moment a year ago.
Published – April 10, 2025 08:44 pm IST