Brevis Blitz Powers CSK to Nail-Biting Win Over KKR

Kolkata : A blistering 22-ball half-century from Dewald Brevis powered Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-stakes IPL 2025 encounter at Eden Gardens.

Chasing 180, CSK found themselves in deep trouble at 60/5, but Brevis turned the tide with a sensational 52 off just 25 balls, smashing four fours and four sixes. Supported ably by Shivam Dube’s composed 45 from 40 deliveries, the five-time champions sealed the win with two balls remaining, dealing a major blow to KKR’s playoff hopes.

Earlier, Noor Ahmad starred with the ball, claiming 4/31 to restrict KKR to 179/6. The hosts rode on Ajinkya Rahane’s steady 48 and Andre Russell’s quickfire 38, but a late collapse kept them under 180.

The CSK chase got off to a rocky start. Ayush Mhatre departed without scoring, slicing Vaibhav Arora to point. Debutant Urvil Patel briefly shone, hammering Arora for a six and Moeen Ali for two sixes and a four. However, Moeen had the last laugh by clean-bowling Devon Conway, leaving both CSK openers dismissed for ducks.

Patel’s attacking cameo ended on 31 from 11 balls when he edged a lofted shot to short third man. Promotion of Ravichandran Ashwin to No. 3 backfired as he nicked one to backward point off Harshit Rana. Soon after, Ravindra Jadeja was bowled by a Varun Chakaravarthy googly, leaving CSK reeling at 62/5 at the end of the powerplay.

That’s when Brevis and Dube began the rescue act. Though initially tied down by tight spells from Sunil Narine and Chakaravarthy, Brevis broke free in the 11th over, smashing Arora for three sixes and two fours to race to a 22-ball fifty. The over yielded 30 runs and completely shifted momentum in CSK’s favor.

Chakaravarthy finally dismissed the rampaging Brevis, who holed out to long-on. Dube then took charge, lofting Rana for two sixes and pulling Russell for a four. But the game took another twist when Arora removed both Dube and Noor Ahmad in quick succession, leaving CSK needing eight runs off the final over.

Veteran MS Dhoni stepped up with a powerful six off Russell, and Anshul Kamboj held his nerve to loft the winning boundary over mid-off, sealing a tense two-wicket win.

Brief Scores:
KKR 179/6 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 48, Andre Russell 38; Noor Ahmad 4-31, Jadeja 1-34)
CSK 183/8 in 19.4 overs (Dewald Brevis 52, Shivam Dube 45; Vaibhav Arora 3-48, Chakaravarthy 2-18)
Result: CSK won by 2 wickets

Team Maverick.