The drama at Eden Gardens reached a fever pitch on Wednesday night as the Chennai Super Kings pulled off a stunning heist against the Kolkata Knight Riders. In a game that saw the “defending champions” KKR nearly solidify their playoff spot, it was the clinical composure of MS Dhoni and a breakout performance from Dewald Brevis that rewrote the script. The final Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings match scorecard tells a tale of a 180-run chase that redefined “nerves of steel.”
The Stakes: Playoff Hopes vs. Strategic Pride
Entering Match 57 of the 2025 season, the context was clear: KKR needed a win to secure their path to the top four. For CSK, having suffered four consecutive losses, this was about testing their new-look roster and playing the ultimate “spoilsport.” By successfully chasing 180, Chennai has now pushed Kolkata to the brink of elimination, leaving the playoff race wide open.
Game Flow Narrative: The Momentum Pendulum
The match was a classic tug-of-war. KKR opted to bat and capitalized on a fast start from Ajinkya Rahane (48) and Sunil Narine. However, Chennai’s spin department, led by Noor Ahmad, triggered a mid-innings collapse that restricted KKR to 179.
The chase began as a disaster for CSK, crumbling to 60/5 within the powerplay. The game seemed over until Dewald Brevis walked in. His 11th-over assault on Vaibhav Arora—hammering 30 runs in a single over—completely shifted the win probability. When Brevis fell for 52, Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni took the game deep, with Dhoni smashing a vintage six in the final over to seal the 2-wicket victory.
Quick Game Facts
- Final Score: CSK 183/8 (19.4) def. KKR 179/6 (20.0)
- Date & Location: May 7, 2025 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Weather: 29°C, 82% Humidity, Mostly Cloudy
- Turning Point: Brevis’ 30-run over (11th over) against Vaibhav Arora.
The Statistical Core
Top Performers Comparison
| Category | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai Super Kings |
| Top Batter | Ajinkya Rahane (48 off 33) | Dewald Brevis (52 off 25) |
| Top Bowler | Vaibhav Arora (3/48) | Noor Ahmad (4/31) |
| Power-Hitter | Andre Russell (38 off 21) | Urvil Patel (31 off 11) |
| Impact Sub | Harshit Rana (2/43) | Anshul Kamboj (4* off 1) |
Team Efficiency Table
| Metric | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai Super Kings |
| Total Score | 179/6 | 183/8 |
| Powerplay Score | 69/1 | 62/5 |
| Middle Overs (7-15) | 62/3 | 103/3 |
| Death Overs (16-20) | 50/2 | 43/2 |
| Extras Conceded | 6 | 5 |
The Quarterback Masterclass: Leadership Under Fire
Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Captain)
Rahane led from the front with the bat, missing a half-century by just two runs. However, his tactical error came in the 11th over. By feeding the pace of Vaibhav Arora to a set Dewald Brevis on a small ground, he allowed the game to slip. His defensive field placements in the final three overs allowed Dhoni and Dube to rotate strike with ease, taking the game to the last over where KKR had no room for error.
MS Dhoni (CSK Captain)
Dhoni’s return to captaincy has been a mix of experimentation and classic “Captain Cool” finishes. His decision to bowl Noor Ahmad against KKR’s power-hitters was a masterstroke. With the bat, his 17 off 18* may look modest on paper, but his presence ensured Shivam Dube stayed calm. Dhoni’s first-ball six in the final over brought the equation down to 2 off 5, effectively ending KKR’s resistance.
| Captain Stat | Ajinkya Rahane (KKR) | MS Dhoni (CSK) |
| Runs Scored | 48 | 17* |
| Strike Rate | 145.45 | 94.44 |
| Boundaries (4s/6s) | 4 / 2 | 0 / 1 |
| Result | Lost | Won |
Positional Deep Dives
The Ground War: Powerplay & Chasing
The kolkata knight riders vs chennai super kings match scorecard shows a frantic powerplay for CSK. They lost 5 wickets but maintained a run rate above 10, thanks to debutant Urvil Patel’s 11-ball 31. This “high-risk, high-reward” approach ensured that even when wickets fell, the required run rate remained manageable for the middle order.
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | Impact |
| Dewald Brevis | 52 | 25 | 208.0 | Game-changer |
| Shivam Dube | 45 | 40 | 112.5 | Anchor |
| Urvil Patel | 31 | 11 | 281.8 | Explosive Start |
The Defensive Wall: Bowling Efficiency
Noor Ahmad was the undisputed star with the ball, finishing with 4/31. He dismantled the KKR middle order just as they were looking to explode. For KKR, Varun Chakaravarthy was the lone warrior in the spin department, conceding just 18 runs in his 4 overs and taking 2 crucial wickets to keep KKR in the hunt until the very end.
Advanced Metrics & “The Why”
- Win Probability Shift: KKR held a 91% win probability when CSK were 60/5. The Brevis over reduced this to 48%.
- Historical Milestone: This match saw MS Dhoni become the first batter in IPL history to record 100 “not outs,” with 60 of those coming in winning causes.
- Schematic Success: CSK utilized “negative lines” against Andre Russell, bowling wide of off-stump to limit his swing, a tactic that eventually forced him into a mistimed shot off Noor Ahmad.
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The Verdict: A Night of Redemption for CSK
This win acts as a massive confidence booster for a CSK side looking toward the 2026 season. By ending their four-match losing streak, they have found a potential future superstar in Dewald Brevis. For KKR, this is a bitter pill; they must now win their remaining matches and hope for other results to go their way. The kolkata knight riders vs chennai super kings match scorecard will go down as one of the most significant upsets of the 2025 season.
FAQ Section
Who won the kolkata knight riders vs chennai super kings match scorecard?
Chennai Super Kings won by 2 wickets, successfully chasing a target of 180 runs with two balls remaining.
What was the turning point of the game?
The turning point was the 11th over of the CSK innings, where Dewald Brevis scored 30 runs against Vaibhav Arora, drastically lowering the required run rate.
How many yards (runs) did MS Dhoni have?
MS Dhoni finished with 17 off 18 balls*, including a crucial six in the final over to level the scores.
