"Everyone needs to come together...": Ruturaj Gaikwad’s sincere request to MS Dhoni after loss vs DC

Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hosted the Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League 2025 match on Saturday, April 5.

Chennai Super Kings lost the 17th match of the IPL 2025 against the Delhi Capitals by 25 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.

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Since the last few games, it's not going our way - Ruturaj Gaikwad

CSK were invited to bowl first in the match and they were unable to do a good job, allowing DC to post a great total of 183/6, riding on KL Rahul's stunning 77-run knock. For the hosts, Khaleel Ahmed picked up two wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja, Noor Ahmad, and Matheesha Pathirana bagged one wicket each.

Chasing the target, CSK top-order batters once again failed and the only fighting knock came from Vijay Shankar's bat as he scored 69 runs. MS Dhoni remained unbeaten at 30*, but CSK finished with 158/5 in their 20 overs.

Speaking after the match, the CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad said that they are trying to improve but things are not going their way. He said:

"Since the last few games, it's not going our way. We are trying to improve, trying our best but not going our way. Definitely lost too many wickets."

Ruturaj Gaikwad further said that the poor performance in the powerplays has been a major concern for them. He stated:

"(Powerplay) It's a major concern even in the bowling department. We are giving away 15-20 runs extra or losing too many wickets. We are trying but it's just not happening."

Everyone needs to come together to make things happen - Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad also said that they are a little over-concerned and need to be positive if they want to get back to winning ways. He further requested MS Dhoni and his other teammates to come together and make things happen. He said:

"(On the team's woes) I just think that we are slightly over concerned or tentative whoever is bowling in powerplay. And with the, bat obviously you don't want to lose an extra wicket but it's just about being positive. I think it's about being on the back foot and not being on the toes. Everyone needs to come together to make things happen. We need to make things happen."

While talking about the lack of intent, Ruturaj Gaikwad said that they were playing the catch-up game since the powerplay. He said:

"(About lack of intent today) Since powerplay we were always playing the catch up game. We were too far behind and we only had one batter left. DC bowled really well and used the conditions really well. Even when Shivam (Dube) was batting we were looking for momentum but it just didn't happen."

How did CSK perform in the previous IPL match against DC?

Chennai Super Kings failed to perform well against Delhi Capitals in their previous match as while chasing 192, they only managed to register 171/6 in 20 overs and faced a 20-run loss.

Bowling first, Chennai Super Kings struggled against the Delhi Capitals batting unit as Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, and Rishabh Pant took the bowlers to the cleaners.

Matheesha Pathirana emerged as the top bowler for CSK in the innings as he picked up a 3-wicket haul while Mustafizur Rahman and Ravindra Jadeja also got one wicket each.

Chasing the target, CSK had a tough start. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra were both dismissed inside three overs,

Ajinkya Rahane and Daryl Mitchell rebuilt the innings patiently with a 68-run stand. However, once they got out, things got difficult for CSK and they were left needing 79 runs off the final five overs.

The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni showcased some great hitting in the end and finished unbeaten on 37 off 16. However, that wasn't enough for the win as CSK were reduced to 171/6.