The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a tough night as they lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 6 wickets at their home ground in the 2025 Indian Premier League. In this match, MS Dhoni led the team as captain because Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out.
After the match, Dhoni admitted that CSK has been struggling for a while, especially with their batting. He said that the team has not been able to score enough runs or build strong partnerships, which is key to winning matches.
“It’s been quite a few nights that haven’t gone our way. We are facing challenges, and we have to accept them. Today, we just didn’t have enough runs on the board,” Dhoni said during the post-match presentation.
Dhoni also explained that the pitch was difficult for batting early on, and losing too many wickets quickly made things worse. Facing strong bowlers without proper partnerships added more pressure on the team.
Read More: CSK vs KKR IPL 2025: Showdown Brewing as Dhoni Returns as Captain
“We never got any partnerships. With better application and a few solid partnerships, we would’ve been fine,” he added.
CSK’s batting during the powerplay also raised concerns. They managed just 31 runs and lost 2 wickets, making it their second-lowest powerplay score this season. Dhoni believes that instead of focusing on hitting big shots all the time, players should focus on playing according to the pitch and their natural style.
“It’s important to understand the conditions. Some games we did well, but we need to play to our strengths, not try to copy others,” Dhoni explained.
He also supported the team’s opening pair, saying they are skilled players who play proper cricket shots and don’t try to slog or take unnecessary risks. Dhoni advised against panicking if the scoreboard isn’t moving fast and instead focus on building partnerships.
“If we aim for 60 runs quickly, it will be hard. We need partnerships, score well in the middle overs, and only go for big hits at the right time,” he concluded.
This match between CSK vs KKR 2025 was another reminder that building partnerships and playing smart cricket is more important than chasing trends. As MS Dhoni pointed out, adapting to match conditions and sticking to your strengths can make all the difference.
