National anthem played at Eden Gardens after Operation Sindoor | KKR vs CSK

Match number 57 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens today witnessed a rare moment where the entire stadium, before the start of the game, took part in singing the national anthem. The national anthem is not part of IPL’s pre-match ceremony, but it was sung today as a show of respect towards India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in retaliation to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last month, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists.

 

Players of both teams were standing outside the boundary line during the national anthem to show that they are equal to everyone else in the stadium during the tribute. 

 

  Brevis-Dube hand CSK comeback win  Chennai Super Kings (CSK) edged out Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by two wickets in a thrilling contest at Eden Gardens, dealing a severe blow to the defending champions' playoff hopes. Chasing a target of 180 on a tricky, turning pitch, CSK were in deep trouble at 60/5 inside 5.2 overs, but an explosive 25-ball 52 from Dewald Brevis and a calm, composed finish by MS Dhoni guided them home with two balls to spare. Earlier, KKR, after opting to bat, posted 179/6 thanks to contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (48), Andre Russell (38), and Sunil Narine (26), but they were derailed by a clinical spell from Afghan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, who claimed 4/31. Ahmad's wickets included Narine, Russell, and Rinku Singh, breaking the back of KKR's innings just when they looked set for a big finish. CSK’s spin trio—Ahmad, Jadeja, and Moeen Ali—combined for 5/84 in 11 overs to stifle the run flow.  CSK’s chase began disastrously with quick wickets tumbling, including a two-ball duck from teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre and the dismissals of Conway and Jadeja. However, a blistering 11-ball 31 from debutant Urvil Patel provided early spark, and Brevis’s game-changing assault—particularly a 30-run over off Vaibhav Arora—brought CSK back into contention. With eight runs needed in the final over, Dhoni launched Russell for a six and then handed strike to debutant Anshul Kamboj, who sealed the win with a boundary. Dhoni remained unbeaten on 17 off 18, possibly making his final appearance at the iconic venue. The loss left KKR with 11 points from 12 matches and only a slim mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs.