IPL 2025: Venkatesh Iyer loses sight of ball in lights, misses easy chance of catch

In the 25th match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are taking on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Chepauk in Chennai. With Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the tournament due to an elbow fracture, the legendary MS Dhoni has returned to captaincy duties for CSK, leading the side once again in front of the home crowd.

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to field first. From the very first over, KKR’s bowlers dominated the proceedings, putting the CSK batting unit under immense pressure. Moeen Ali was brought into the playing XI in place of Spencer Johnson, and the move paid off immediately. The off-spinner struck in his second over, dismissing Devon Conway and breaking CSK’s top order early.

As CSK tried to rebuild, right-arm pacer Harshit Rana delivered a crucial eighth over. On his second ball, he bowled a well-disguised slower delivery that deceived CSK’s middle-order batter Vijay Shankar. The right-handed batter mistimed the shot, chipping it tamely towards mid-wicket.

Also read: IPL 2025: Who has replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad in CSK squad?

The ball went straight to Venkatesh Iyer, who was perfectly placed but surprisingly dropped the simple catch. Iyer pointed towards the floodlights after the miss, suggesting he may have lost sight of the ball. Harshit Rana, clearly unimpressed, could only look at that in frustration.

Despite the drop, KKR remained firmly on top. With 15 overs completed, CSK were reeling at 72 for 7, struggling to stay in the game. KKR’s bowling unit was firing on all cylinders, with Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine each picking up two wickets. Moeen Ali added one to his name in his economical four-over spell.

At the crease, MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube are trying to steady the innings and push CSK towards a respectable total, aiming to give their bowlers something to defend.