IPL 2025: MS Dhoni opens up on CSK's loss against PBKS

MS Dhoni. Pic/PTI

In the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a loss by four wickets. With this, CSK marked their eighth loss of the season.

Despite an improved batting performance, skipper MS Dhoni feels that the team fell short of posting a competitive total.

"I think the batting, yes it was the first time we put enough runs on the board, but I feel it was slightly short of a par score," MS Dhoni said after the match, according to ESPNcricinfo.

"It's demanding on the batsmen but we needed slightly more. The partnership between Curran and Brevis was fantastic. I think we need to take our catches," he added.

Chennai managed to post a total of 190 runs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Sam Curran played a knock of 88 runs in 47 balls, including nine boundaries and four maximums. Shouldering him was Dewald Brevis, who scored 32 runs off 26 balls. His knock was laced with two boundaries and a maximum. The duo scored 78 runs in the middle overs.

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Further, Dhoni praised the duo by saying, "I think Curran is a fighter, we all know. Unfortunately, whenever we have tried to give him a chance so far, it was a slow wicket, but today's wicket was the best one we had at home this season."

"I think it's momentum in the middle order and he's (Brevis) a very good fielder and he has good power so he can hit good balls for boundaries. He brings energy in the field too. We needed that fresh air, someone not caught up in the spiral. He can be an asset going forward," Dhoni added.

Coming to the IPL 2025 match, PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first. CSK was 48/3 at one point, then a 78-run stand between Sam Curran and Dewald Brevis (32 in 26 balls, with two fours and a six) helped them get back in the innings. Curran continued to fire single-handedly, making 88 in 47 balls, with nine fours and four sixes. CSK was bundled out for 190 in 19.2 overs. It was a hat-trick from Yuzvendra Chahal (4/32) which made CSK collapse from 172/4 to 190 all out. Arshdeep Singh (2/25) was also superb with the ball.

During the run-chase, Priyansh Arya (23 in 15 balls, with five fours) and Prabhsimran Singh gave PBKS a quick start with a 44-run stand. A 72-run stand between Prabhsimran (54 in 36 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and skipper Shreyas Iyer solidified PBKS' control over the game. Iyer continued to take control, scoring 72 in just 41 balls, with five fours and four sixes and stitching a partnership with Shashank Singh (23 in 12 balls, with a four and two sixes). PBKS did lose wickets towards the end, but won by four wickets with two balls left.

Khaleel Ahmed (2/28) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) were the top wicket-takers for CSK.

PBKS is now at the second spot in the table with six wins, three losses and a no result, giving them 13 points. CSK is struggling at the bottom, with two wins and eight losses, giving them four points.

(With ANI Inputs)