In a rare display of frustration, MS Dhoni openly criticized his team’s performance following Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) seventh defeat in nine matches during the IPL 2025 season. After the five-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk, Dhoni expressed his dissatisfaction with both the batting and overall team performance.
“We kept losing wickets, and in the first innings, the wicket was slightly better. 155 is not a justifiable score because it wasn’t turning a lot,” Dhoni remarked, highlighting the team’s inability to post a competitive total. He emphasized that the team was 15-20 runs short, which made it challenging for the bowlers to defend the target.
Dhoni also addressed the broader issues plaguing the team, stating, “In a tournament like this, if you have one or two areas where you can plug in the holes, it’s good. But if the majority of your players are not doing well, it becomes very difficult. Because you have to do a few changes, but if the majority are doing well, then you give those guys that extra few games, and if it doesn’t work out, then you move on to the next one. But if four of them are not performing at the same time, you are bound to make that change because you can’t just keep on going.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Dhoni found a silver lining in the performance of debutant Dewald Brevis, who scored 42 off 25 balls. “I think he batted really well, and we need something like that in the middle order,” Dhoni noted, acknowledging the young player’s contribution.
With this loss, CSK’s hopes for making it to the playoffs are dwindling, as they find themselves at the bottom of the points table with just two wins from nine matches.
