IPL 2025: Who Said What - What did MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane say after KKR vs CSK Match 57

Chennai Super Kings bagged a two-wicket thrilling win over the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 57th match of the IPL 2025 season at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, May 7.

Batting first, KKR posted a good-looking total of 179/6 in 20 overs. Captain Ajinkya Rahane was the top scorer, smacking 48 runs in 33 balls. On the other hand, Manish Pandey (36*) and Andre Russell (38) also played important knocks. Noor Ahmad was exceptional with the ball, scalping four wickets.

In the chase, CSK kept losing wickets at regular intervals. However, Dewald Brevis came out of the syllabus for KKR, smacking 52 runs in 25 balls. On the other hand, Shivam Dube smashed 45 runs in 40 balls with two fours and three sixes. Eventually, CSK finished off the game in 19.4 overs.

Let’s take a look at what captains MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane said after the Chennai Super Kings’ two-wicket win.

CSK captain MS Dhoni: 

“We have won a few? (Smiles) It is only the third game we won. It is good to be on the winning side. Quite a few things have not gone our way. What is important is to be practical. Identify what has gone wrong. 

We have 25 players who can fill and I was focusing on that. We want answers for the next year, which batter can slot in where and which bowler can bowl where according to the conditions. Hardly anyone was scoring runs, yes you will get out sometimes but you back yourself and play the shots you feel you can do. 

These are the players who are part of the squad now, you may see them in the nets, in the practice games, give them a chance and see how they react. You don't look at the cricketing aspect or the technique but their mental strength and game awareness. If he can figure out what the bowler is doing, what is his bluff ball, he will do well. 

(on the talk with Dube) You have to keep their spinners out of the game, thanks to Brevis, he gave us that luxury, don't give wickets to Sunil and Varun, then we will see. This is not a big ground, I said take it slightly to the end, not to forget, I was the last batter, that was the thinking. 

He played calculated shots and he hit two sixes and that brings the rate down. (on the love shown tonight by the crowd) That's the love and affection I have got throughout, not to forget, I'm 43 and I have played for a long time. They don't know when it will be my last year, it is a fact I play only 2 months a year. 

This IPL gets over, then I have to work for the next 6-8 months to see if my body is able to take this kind of pressure. (on his retirement plans) Nothing to decide as of now, but the love and affection I get everywhere is excellent.”

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane

“It's a tough thing to be on the losing side, I think we were 10-15 runs short. We thought 185-195 would have been an ideal total on this wicket, but I think it was a great game. In this format that things are bound to happen, an over (Vaibhav vs Brevis) here and there, but I think they batted really well and took their chances. 

Brevis and Dube took their chances and it really paid off (for CSK.) No complaints but I think our bowlers bowled really well. It is pretty simple, now we have to win two out of two, let's see what happens from here on.”

Player of the match Noor Ahmad:

“It was a super win. Really happy with the work we did as a team, happy with my bowling and also with Dewald Brevis. I did not keep thinking about the leading wicket-taker or the Purple cap, I wanted to do well for my team, that's how it works for me. The nick from Raghuvanshi is the one I liked. Just try to use the length well and that's what works for me.”

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