Dhoni Welcomes 'Traitor' Bravo Ahead of CSK vs KKR Showdown
Chennai Super Kings are facing the music in IPL 2025 as they head into Friday's encounter with Kolkata Knight Riders in what promises to be a do-or-die match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. On the back of four straight losses after opening their campaign with a victory against Mumbai Indians, the five-time title-winners are in dire need to save their season.
In a big blow to the franchise, regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out with an elbow fracture. Consequently, the leadership onus has once again been transferred to the great MS Dhoni, who has emerged out of captaincy retirement to navigate his team through troubled waters.
In spite of their struggles, on the field, the CSK camp experienced a warm reunion moment before the big game. DWayne Bravo Behind the nets, Dhoni noticed his former teammate and erstwhile CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. Bravo, who had played more than a decade with CSK, had lifted four titles with the franchise and developed a close relationship with Dhoni and other veterans of the team.
As Bravo approached the CSK players, Dhoni playfully yelled, 'The traitor is here!' to the amusement of everyone present. Bravo smiled back and said, 'Life is so unfair', before hugging Ravindra Jadeja. The joke said much about the playfulness that has come to typify the CSK dressing room, even in times of on-field crisis.
The reunion aside, CSK won't get much time to feel the nostalgia as they are presented with a must-win scenario against the defending champions. Loss today would be their fifth consecutive defeat and third straight home defeat an uncharted history for the franchise.
KKR, while not at their best themselves, enter this match with two victories from five games and are sixth on the table. Having lost narrowly to Lucknow Super Giants in their last match, they'll be eager to recover with a good performance.
All attention will be on MS Dhoni as he attempts to instill new faith in a struggling CSK team and revive the winning attitude that has made the franchise a force to reckon with in IPL history.
