IPL 2025: Brevis smashes fifty, MS Dhoni delivers classic finish as CSK crush KKR’s playoff hopes

New Delhi: Dewald Brevis’s fiery 52 off just 25 deliveries, along with a clinical four-wicket haul by Afghan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, dealt a massive blow to Kolkata Knight Riders’ playoff aspirations as Chennai Super Kings clinched a nail-biting two-wicket victory at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Noor exploited the spin-friendly surface superbly, returning figures of 4/31 to limit KKR to 179/6 after skipper Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat in a must-win fixture.

CSK’s spin unit played a decisive role, collectively grabbing 5 wickets for 84 runs across 11 overs — a stretch that proved pivotal in turning the tide.

In pursuit of 180 under challenging conditions, Chennai stumbled early, losing half their lineup for just 60 runs in the first 5.2 overs under the Eden floodlights. But in what could be his swansong at this iconic venue, MS Dhoni brought his signature poise and power to the finish, guiding CSK home with two balls remaining.

The defeat all but ends KKR’s campaign on home turf. With just 11 points from 12 games, they now face away matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Even if they win both, their playoff hopes hinge on other outcomes.

With 8 runs needed off the last over, Dhoni smashed a low full toss from Andre Russell deep over mid-wicket for a stunning six, sparking jubilant scenes. He then took a calm single and passed on instructions to debutant Anshul Kamboj, who sealed the game with a boundary.

Dhoni walked off unbeaten on 17 off 18 balls, greeted by a standing ovation from the Eden Gardens faithful — perhaps a final salute to their cherished finisher.

Earlier, CSK were rocked early when Vaibhav Arora and Moeen Ali picked up wickets inside the opening two overs. Harshit Rana then struck twice in quick succession, reducing CSK to 56/4 within five overs.

Rookie Ayush Mhatre was dismissed for a duck in just his second ball.

Debutant Urvil Patel, brought in as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Vansh Bedi, counterpunched aggressively — hammering Moeen Ali for two sixes and a four off his first three deliveries.

However, Moeen responded swiftly, sending back Devon Conway for a duck in the same over.

Urvil continued his fireworks against Harshit Rana, adding a four and a maximum, before he was dismissed after a whirlwind 11-ball 31 (1 four, 4 sixes) in a promising first appearance.

Varun Chakaravarthy then removed Ravindra Jadeja (19) in his opening over, leaving CSK struggling at 62/5 at the end of the powerplay. Despite the top-order collapse, the required run rate stayed within reach.

From a vulnerable 60/5, Brevis mounted a sensational comeback in the 11th over, taking apart Vaibhav Arora for 30 runs and flipping the momentum of the chase.

He started the over with a fortunate six that slipped through Raghuvanshi’s hands and followed it up with two more sixes and three boundaries in the space of six deliveries, reaching his half-century in just 22 balls.

Batting first, KKR looked solid at 67/1 at the end of six overs, but Noor Ahmad’s spell after the powerplay disrupted their rhythm.

The Afghan spinner dismissed both Andre Russell (38 off 21) and Sunil Narine (26 off 17) during crucial moments, applying the brakes on KKR’s innings.

Ahmad struck twice in the same over after the powerplay — first deceiving Narine with flight and having him stumped by Dhoni, then getting Raghuvanshi to edge one behind.

Rahane, who played a composed 33-ball 48 with four boundaries and two sixes, was dismissed by Jadeja, further denting KKR’s momentum.

Boundaries dried up for a long stretch, with 24 deliveries passing without a four during the middle phase.

KKR looked to Russell for rescue — the Jamaican power-hitter had just struck a match-winning fifty in the previous match — and he looked in ominous touch again.

He clubbed Jadeja for two boundaries and a six, then cleared the ropes off Noor Ahmad with a towering blow, but the spinner had the final say, foxing Russell with a googly to end his blitz.

In a brilliant closing act, Noor also picked up Rinku Singh in his final over, capping off a devastating spell that broke KKR’s backbone.

From 67/1 in the powerplay, Kolkata managed just 112 runs in the remaining 14 overs. CSK’s spinners allowed only 55 runs in the last five overs, suffocating the scoring rate on a sluggish, turning surface.

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