After Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced their seventh defeat in IPL 2025 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, MS Dhoni openly reflected on the team’s struggles. Dhoni admitted that CSK were 15–20 runs short with the bat and highlighted how consistent underperformance by multiple players has made it difficult to fix issues mid-season. He praised the bowlers but stressed that the batting lineup needs to assess conditions better and post stronger totals. With playoff hopes fading, Dhoni emphasized the urgency for CSK to regroup quickly and deliver improved performances in the remaining matches.
MS Dhoni Reflects on CSK’s Struggles After Loss to SRH
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced another tough night at Chepauk as they suffered their seventh defeat of IPL 2025, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets. Despite the passionate home crowd, CSK couldn’t defend their 155-run target, with SRH chasing it down comfortably with eight balls to spare. After the match, a visibly disappointed MS Dhoni offered a candid assessment of CSK’s ongoing struggles this season.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, MS Dhoni admitted that his side fell short by 15–20 runs in the first innings. “The pitch was slightly better early on and 157 wasn’t a justifiable score. It wasn’t turning much, just a bit two-paced, but nothing unplayable,” Dhoni explained. He praised the team’s spinners for bowling well but emphasized that the batting unit had left them with too little to defend.
Dewald Brevis, making his debut for CSK, showed promise with an attacking 42 off 25 balls, but the rest of the middle-order failed to capitalize. Star players like Sam Curran, Shivam Dube, and even Dhoni himself couldn’t make significant contributions, leading to CSK being bowled out for 154 in 19.5 overs. In the chase, SRH batted smartly, with gritty knocks from Ishan Kishan (44), Kamindu Mendis (32*), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (19*) securing the win.
MS Dhoni didn’t shy away from pointing out a deeper issue within the squad. “In a tournament like this, if only one or two players are struggling, it’s manageable. But when a majority are not performing, it becomes very difficult,” he said. He stressed that with multiple players underperforming, constant changes are inevitable, which disrupts the team’s rhythm.
He concluded by emphasizing the need to put competitive totals on the board. “It’s not always about 180-200 runs. You must assess conditions smartly and put enough runs on the board to stay in the game,” MS Dhoni” said.
With the playoffs slipping out of reach, CSK must regroup quickly if they want to keep their slim hopes alive in IPL 2025.
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