MS Dhoni Reflects on CSK’s Crushing Loss to KKR, Urges Batters to Show Better Application

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April 12, 2025 0 80

CSK slump to fifth straight defeat Even Under MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings suffered a heavy defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders as MS Dhoni blamed poor partnerships and lack of intent from the batters.

MS Dhoni looked visibly disappointed after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were handed a heavy eight-wicket defeat by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 11. CSK were restricted to just 103/9, their lowest total at Chepauk, after electing to bat first.

Knight Riders chased down the target in just 10.1 overs, losing only two wickets—Quinton de Kock (23) and Sunil Narine (44). Rinku Singh (15*) and Ajinkya Rahane (20*) completed the chase with ease. With this result, CSK recorded their fifth consecutive loss in a single IPL season for the first time.

Speaking to the broadcaster after the match, Dhoni said his team lacked the required application with the bat. “I think it’s quite a few nights haven’t gone our way. What’s important is to look deep down inside. I feel the challenge was there. But it’s important to accept that challenge, figure out ways how you’ll tackle the difficult deliveries, and then look to get runs on the board. Today, I felt we didn’t really have enough runs on the board,” said the former India captain, who led CSK for the first time since the IPL 2023 final.

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The 43-year-old noted that the pitch offered assistance to bowlers even in the first innings. He admitted that CSK lost wickets in clusters, which proved costly against a strong KKR spin attack.

“Yes, it did [stop] but it has been the case over here. Whenever we bowled first, even in the second innings, it stopped a bit. But today in the first innings also it was stopping. But also, if you lose too many wickets, it looks very different because it puts pressure on the batsman who is going in, and with quality spinners it becomes slightly difficult. And we never really got any kind of partnerships going. So that also makes it tough. I feel overall a bit more partnerships, a bit more runs, a bit more application, and we’ll be on track,” Dhoni explained.

CSK could only manage 31 runs in the powerplay and lost two early wickets. Dhoni backed his openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, urging them to stay confident and play their natural game without getting affected by the scoreboard pressure.

“What is important is our openers are good openers, and they just need to back themselves and play authentic cricket shots. They’re not the ones who will start slogging or look to hit across the line. But what is also important is not to get desperate seeing the scoreboard. You need, maybe one or two boundaries and run rate keeps on going. If you start looking for 60 in six overs with our line-up, it will be very difficult for us. It’s important to get partnerships going, maybe look to capitalise in the middle and the later overs. That’s what our strength will be. But if we lose too many wickets, the middle order needs do their role differently and the slog has been delayed for quite a while,” Dhoni concluded.