"I take the blame": MS Dhoni names himself the villain in CSK's loss to RCB

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locked horns with the Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the away game of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Saturday, May 3.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost the 52nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 2 runs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Also Read: IPL Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap After RCB vs CSK Match 52 - IPL 2025

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I felt I should've converted a couple more shots to ease the pressure - MS Dhoni

Bowling first in the match, Chennai Super Kings made a good recovery after initial damage, but leaked a lot of runs in the death overs and ended up conceding 213 runs. Matheesha Pathirana picked up three wickets while Noor Ahmad and Sam Curran got one wicket each.

Chasing the target, Ayush Mhatre played a sensational knock of 94 runs while Ravindra Jadeja smashed an unbeaten 77. The game went to the very last over, and MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja were unable to get the job done, with CSK being restricted to 211/5.

Speaking after the match, MS Dhoni took full blame for the loss and said that he should have hit a few more boundaries during his stay in the middle. He stated:

"When I went into bat, with the kind of deliveries and the runs needed, I felt I should've converted a couple more shots to ease the pressure. I take the blame. They got off to a good start, in between we pulled it back, but Romario Shepherd was brilliant. Whatever the bowlers bowled, he was able to get maximum runs."

Somebody like Pathirana, if the yorker isn't happening, he has got pace - MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni further said that they need to practice more yorkers and talked about the current situation of the pace spearhead, Matheesha Pathirana. He stated:

"We need to practice more yorkers. More often than not, when the batters start to connect, you have to rely on yorkers. Also the margin of error (yorkers provide) - so if you're looking for a perfect yorker, if that doesn't happen, a low full toss is the next best thing.

"It's one of the most difficult balls to hit. Somebody like Pathirana, if the yorker isn't happening, he has got pace. He can bowl the bouncer and keep the batter guessing. At times if he's looking for yorkers, batters are looking to line it up and if he misses, batters have a chance of hitting."

While talking about playing scoop shots, MS Dhoni said that most of the CSK batters are more confident playing down the ground. MS Dhoni said:

"It can be used, but not all batters are comfortable playing it (the scoop). If it comes naturally, then definitely. If not, it becomes difficult. It is something you need to practice in the new era. Most of our batters don't play the paddle shot. Jaddu plays it but he's more comfortable down the ground so he was backing his strength."

CSK lost the previous IPL match against RCB

Chennai Super Kings had a forgettable outing at Chepauk on March 28, 2025, as they faced a 50-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

After electing to bowl first, CSK bowlers had a poor outing. While Noor Ahmad impressed with his brilliant figures of 3/36, others failed to maintain pressure. Matheesha Pathirana picked up two wickets late in the innings, but RCB’s brilliant batting powered them to a good score of 196/7.

Chasing the target, Rahul Tripathi and Ruturaj Gaikwad got out inside the first two overs as CSK slumped to 8/2 and couldn't recover from it. Rachin Ravindra top-scored with 41 off 31 but received little support from the middle order. Dube (19), Jadeja (25), and Ashwin (11) got starts but failed to convert, while MS Dhoni’s entertaining 30* off 16 came too late, as CSK eventually ended up with a score of 146/8.