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Former India opener Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing attack on the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) following their crushing eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 11.
Virender Sehwag slams MS Dhoni and Co. for their performance against KKR
Known for his blunt analysis, Sehwag questioned the team’s batting approach and dismissed the significance of captain Dhoni’s potential impact, even if he hadn’t been dismissed cheaply.
The match marked a disastrous return to captaincy for Dhoni, who stepped in after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the tournament with an elbow fracture. Asked to bat after KKR won the toss, CSK crumbled under pressure, posting a paltry 103/9 in their allotted 20 overs. This marked their lowest-ever total at home, Chepauk Stadium, and their third-lowest score in IPL history. KKR’s spin attack, led by Sunil Narine (3/13) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/18), ran riot through the CSK batting lineup.
The Knight Riders comfortably reached the finish line, storming to 107/2 in just 10.1 overs. All-rounder Sunil Narine played an explosive knock of 44 in just 18 deliveries. The embarrassing defeat handed CSK their fifth consecutive loss in IPL 2025 and their third straight defeat at home.
In the post-match analysis for Star Sports India, Sehwag didn’t mince words when asked if Dhoni, who came in at No. 9 and scored just 1 run before being given out LBW, could have salvaged the innings had he batted till the end.
“I don’t think so,” Sehwag stated bluntly. “If he didn’t get out, they could’ve scored a maximum of 130. KKR chased this target down in 10.1 overs. We would be coming live [for the post-match show] at 11:30 pm instead. That would’ve been the only difference.”
The defeat leaves the five-time champions reeling at ninth place in the points table with just one win from their opening matches.
Dhoni’s remark on CSK’s one-sided defeat
Dhoni himself acknowledged the team’s struggles post-match, stating, “I think it’s quite a few nights haven’t gone our way.”
“What’s important is to look deep down inside. I feel the challenge was there. But it’s important to accept that challenge, figure out ways how you’ll tackle the difficult deliveries, and then look to get runs on the board. Today, I felt we didn’t really have enough runs on the board,” the CSK skipper added.
While Dhoni pointed towards the need for better application and adapting to conditions, Sehwag’s harsh critique focuses on the team’s inability to post competitive totals and questions whether the ageing skipper, batting lower down the order, can truly influence outcomes as he once did. As CSK search for answers amid a historically poor run, the unforgiving assessment from one of cricket’s most outspoken analysts adds further pressure on the beleaguered Yellow Army.
