It was meant to be a grand homecoming for MS Dhoni as he returned to lead Chennai Super Kings once again — but the script took a sharp turn. Instead of celebration, it turned into a forgettable night for CSK, as Kolkata Knight Riders put on a dominant display and chased down a modest target with nearly 10 overs to spare.

After a solid start, CSK's innings unraveled once Vijay Shankar fell. The KKR spinners tightened their grip on the game, choking the flow of runs and picking wickets at regular intervals. Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora added to the pressure, and CSK slumped to a below-par 103/9 — a total that never looked enough.

Narine made sure KKR’s chase started with intent, smashing the first ball for six. Quinton de Kock followed up with three towering sixes before falling to Anshul Kamboj. But that was the only silver lining for CSK on the night.

Ajinkya Rahane brought his trademark elegance, flicking and driving with ease. Ravi Ashwin had another off day, and Narine cashed in before falling just short of a fifty. Rinku Singh walked in and calmly finished things off.

A thumping win for Kolkata, who are looking more and more like a championship side. For Dhoni and CSK, it’s time to reflect and reset after a night where nothing went their way.

Continue the story here:CSK suffer fifth loss on the trot as KKR register monster win

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International games

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James Anderson Poised for Knighthood in PM’s Resignation Honours

James Anderson is set to be knighted in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list, marking a fitting tribute to England’s most decorated fast bowler. The 42-year-old retired from international cricket last year after a record-breaking 21-year career, finishing with 704 Test wickets—the most by any English bowler.

Anderson played 188 Tests, more than any other fast bowler in history, and still holds the record for most ODI wickets by an Englishman with 269. Despite retiring from international duty, he plans to continue playing for Lancashire this summer.

The ECB praised his “extraordinary achievements,” with chairman Richard Thompson calling it a “well-deserved honour.” Sunak, a known cricket fan, faced Anderson in the nets last year and now grants him a place among five other knighthood recipients.

For fans and players alike, the honour simply confirms what cricket has long known: James Anderson is a legend—now officially on and off the field.

Match Preview

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings

Sunrisers Hyderabad stormed into IPL 2025 with bold ambitions—talks of smashing the 300-run mark and redefining T20 batting set high expectations. But halfway into the season, the fireworks have fizzled. With just one win from five matches, SRH sit at the bottom of the table, struggling to find consistency in both departments.

Their aggressive, all-or-nothing approach with the bat has backfired more often than it has dazzled. And without those massive scores to shield them, their fragile bowling attack—already among the weakest since last season—has been brutally exposed.

Now, with confidence shaken and combinations still unsettled, SRH face a stern test at home against an in-form Punjab Kings outfit that’s quietly built momentum and now eyes the top half of the table.

Saturday’s clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is more than just a game for SRH. It’s a chance to regroup, rediscover their identity, and rebuild belief. Punjab, meanwhile, have a clearer path—keep doing what’s working. With both teams packed with batting power, it could come down to who handles the pressure better—and who blinks first.

Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans

Home advantage? Not so much—unless you're Delhi Capitals. In IPL 2025, even the strongest teams have struggled to find comfort in familiar surroundings. For Lucknow Super Giants, taming their home conditions has been more of a puzzle than a privilege. But come Saturday, they’ll hope to finally crack the code when they host the high-flying Gujarat Titans.

LSG’s campaign started with drama both on and off the field. After an opening loss to Punjab Kings, Zaheer Khan’s sharp critique grabbed headlines. A quick switch from red to black soil pitches gave them a narrow win in their next outing, but the control they craved was still missing. While wins on the road in Hyderabad and Kolkata kept their campaign afloat, the team hasn’t quite looked settled.

Their bowling—built around a heavily invested Indian core—has flickered between brilliance and mediocrity. On most days, it’s been the batting unit carrying the load, but that balance may not hold for long as the competition stiffens.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans have gone about their business quietly and effectively. Sherfane Rutherford has been a reliable impact player, and the top order has largely delivered—until their last game, when the middle-order duo of Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia stepped up. With Kagiso Rabada unavailable, GT’s all-Indian pace attack has been solid, combining well to help them secure four important wins.

While bigger names dominate headlines, GT are scripting a familiar tale—just like in 2022—rising to the top with consistency and composure. LSG, on the other hand, will be desperate to break free from the shadows of their 2024 campaign, where inconsistency was the norm.

Saturday’s clash is more than just another game—it’s a moment of truth for Lucknow. For GT, it’s another step in their steady march forward.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

• Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders

  CSK 103/9 (20)

  KKR 107/2 (10.1)

  Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wkts

Picture of the week

On This Day

April 2000 marked a dark chapter in cricket history as South African captain Hansie Cronje stepped down amid shocking match-fixing revelations. Once admired for his leadership and integrity, Cronje’s image crumbled after a taped phone call linked him to fixing games during a series in India.

Initially, Cronje denied all allegations and received widespread support—including from South African cricket boss Ali Bacher, who vouched for his "unquestionable honesty." But just four days later, Cronje made a late-night confession to Bacher, admitting he hadn’t been “entirely honest.”

He was stripped of the captaincy immediately. Soon after, he gave an emotional testimony to the King Commission, revealing more about his dealings with bookmakers. The cricket world watched in disbelief as one of its most respected figures became the face of one of its biggest betrayals.

Coming tomorrow

• Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans

• Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings

What else is happening

• Zaib century builds on strong foundations for Northants

• Dawid Malan's classy 98 gives Yorkshire a healthy start