MS Dhoni openly admits CSK have given up on IPL 2025, eyes set on 2026

Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took on the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 38th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Sunday, April 20.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost the high-octane IPL 2025 match against the arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) by 9 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: "You don't have to worry about Rohit Sharma's form": Hardik Pandya bows down to MI batter

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

I think we were quite below par - MS Dhoni

Batting first in the match, CSK posted a total of 176/5 on the board, riding on half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube. Defending the total, CSK bowlers were annihilated by Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, and the match finished in 15.4 overs.

Speaking after the match, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni said that they registered a below-par total and showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah. MS Dhoni stated:

"I think we were quite below par,because we all knew that dew will come in the second half and we were in a position to exploit the middle overs, and I just felt that Bumrah being one of the best death bowlers in the world right now.

"I felt once they started their death bowling early, that was the time we should have capitalized and started our slog slightly early and after that even Bumrah also goes for runs it's a plus point, I think there were a few overs there we could have got slightly more runs. We needed those runs because 175 with the dew around is not a par score."

I think as a youngster, he batted really well - MS Dhoni hails Ayush Mhatre

MS Dhoni was also impressed with the way the debutant Ayush Mhatre smashed 32 runs in his debut IPL game and said that his performance is a good sign for CSK. MS Dhoni stated:

"(Ayush Mhatre) I think as a youngster he batted really well, and that's the kind of approach that is needed where you play your shots and at the same time you pick your shots that is your strength and I feel right from the start, he went and played his shots and we also haven't seen him much. So, it is a good sign for us at the top of the order that if he can keep playing the shots, it will become slightly easier for the middle and lower order."

While talking about the pitch, MS Dhoni said that the odd ball was gripping on the surface. He said:

"I think the odd ball was still gripping and for us what was most important was the first 6 overs, and if you give away too many in the first 6 it becomes slightly easy and Surya is a brilliant player of spin bowling and with the dew it was doing slightly less, , but it wasn't like it was coming on nicely."

In the end, MS Dhoni said that the Chennai Super Kings will try their best to qualify for the playoffs, and if that doesn't happen, they want to make sure that they have built a settled playing XI because making a lot of changes to the squad in IPL 2026 won't be an ideal thing. MS Dhoni stated:

"What we need to realize is that we are successful because we play good cricket and at the same time when we are not playing good cricket what is important is not to get too emotional about it and at the same time you want to be practical. There have been instances, one of the seasons I think 2020 has not been great for us but we need to see whether we are playing the right form of cricket whether we are applying ourselves.

"Those are the question marks we have got, few catches and that will help. Other than that we are just trying to plug in the holes, with all the games that are in front of us that we are supposed to win, we just take it one game at a time and if we lose a few, what will be important for us is to get the right combination for next year.

"You don't want too many players getting changed, what will be important is to try and qualify, but if not get a secured 11 for next year and come back strong."

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

In their previous Indian Premier League (IPL) clash, the Chennai Super Kings defeated the Mumbai Indians by four wickets on March 23, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Electing to bowl first in the match, the new-look bowling unit of CSK did a great job. Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed removed both MI openers early, returning with figures of 3/29 while Noor Ahmad stole the show with his remarkable spell of 4/18.

Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with the wicket of Will Jacks and Nathan Ellis removed Mitchell Santner as CSK restricted Mumbai Indians to 155/9.

Chasing the target, CSK lost Rahul Tripathi in the second over itself, but Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad stabilized the innings by showcasing a brilliant batting performance.

Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed 53 off just 26 deliveries to make sure CSK were flying high in the powerplay but in the middle overs, CSK lost back-to-back wickets and came under pressure.

However, Rachin Ravindra stood strong at one end and, with calm and calculated 65* off 45 balls, steered Chennai Super Kings home with five balls to spare.