MS Dhoni faced criticism after his 17-ball 16-run innings during CSK’s loss to Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. With the match held on Tuesday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could only post 187/8, as their batting unit once again faltered under pressure.
While the team relied on experienced players like Devon Conway and Ravindra Jadeja, it was youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis who offered some resistance. However, Dhoni’s unusually slow innings left fans disappointed, especially with CSK needing a strong finish to stay afloat in the season.
Dhoni Blames Wickets, Defends Lower Order
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Dhoni admitted that frequent wickets created pressure on the lower-middle order and impacted his approach with the bat.
“If you look at the runs, it was very good, but the wickets column put pressure on the lower-middle order,” he said.
Dhoni praised Brevis for his positive intent and acknowledged that the run-rate was decent at times but emphasized that losing 1–2 extra wickets in key phases derailed their momentum.
Calls for Consistency, Backs Young Batters
With CSK’s playoff hopes all but over, Dhoni stressed the need for more consistency, particularly from the team’s younger batters who are being groomed for the future.
“It’s hard to get consistency when you’re aiming for a 200 strike rate,” he said.
“Young batters need to back themselves and stay true to their approach across seasons.”
With CSK likely to finish near the bottom of the points table this season, Dhoni’s focus appears to be on rebuilding around youth and ensuring they grow into match-winners for future campaigns.
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