MS Dhoni or Fielding unit? Ruturaj Gaikwad names villain in CSK's loss to RCB in IPL 2025

In the 8th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locked horns with the Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Chennai Super Kings lost the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 50 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Friday, March 28.

Also Read: IPL Points Table 2025: Orange Cap, Purple Cap List After CSK vs RCB, Match 8

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Bad day in the fielding cost us really badly.- Ruturaj Gaikwad

Bowling first CSK allowed RCB to score 196 runs as they were quite sloppy on the field and while chasing the target they got restricted to 146/8 despite MS Dhoni's late cameo of 16-ball 30 after the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman came to bat at No.9.

Speaking after the match, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said that the poor performance on the field cost them the match against RCB.

"To be honest, I still feel 170 was a par score on this wicket. It wasn't that great to bat. Bad day in the fielding cost us really badly. At the end of the day, when you are chasing 170, you bat differently" Ruturaj Gaikwad said.

"You have little bit time when you go in to bat. When you're chasing 20 runs extra on a wicket where you know it's going to be a little bit sticky and it's going to stop after the ball gets old, you have to bat slightly differently in the powerplay."

Still happy that we didn't lose by a big margin - Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad further said that the pitch got a bit slower and sticky, and he, as well as Rahul Tripathi, were unable to execute their shots to perfection. He said:

"It got a little bit slower and sticky. The new ball was sticking a lot until the five overs, don't really know how it happened. Rahul backed his shot, I went and backed my shot, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There are times where you have a par score in your mind and probably when you're chasing 20 runs extra, you always want to be a step ahead of the game. That's what the thinking was, didn't really work out."

Despite CSK facing their biggest loss at Chepauk, Ruturaj Gaikwad said that he was happy that they didn't lose by a big margin. He elaborated:

"Still happy that we didn't lose by a big margin and at the end it was just 50 runs. Definitely a different scenario when you have three world-class spinners in your team, you want the new batters to face them. That's where the game changes a lot."

Ruturaj Gaikwad signed off by once again bashing his fielders and putting the entire blame on the fielding unit for the team's loss. He said:

"They just kept going, we dropped catches at crucial times and then there was always an extra six or extra boundary that was coming after that. The momentum kept going and didn't stop till the final over. There's a long flight to Guwahati, we have to turn up mentally. We're going to have bad day in batting and bowling in a tournament like IPL but I feel the fielding has to improve a lot and we should come back stronger in the fielding department."

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

Chennai Super Kings' previous IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was on May 18, 2024. They fought hard but faced a 27-run defeat that ended their playoffs hopes.

Bowling first in the match, CSK bowlers struggled against the power-packed RCB batting unit. Shardul Thakur (2/61), Tushar Deshpande (1/49) and Mitchell Santner (1/23) picked up key wickets, but the the pacers were quite expensive.

CSK bowlers were taken to cleaners by RCB openers Virat Kohli (47) and Faf du Plessis (54), who set the stage on fire before Rajat Patidar (41) and Cameron Green (38*) provided the finishing touches, taking RCB to 218/5.

Chasing 219, CSK’s innings got off to a disastrous start as Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed on the very first ball. Rachin Ravindra (61 off 37) and Ajinkya Rahane (33 off 22) rebuilt the innings with a 66-run partnership, but quick wickets in the middle overs didn't allow them to get the momentum.

In the end, Ravindra Jadeja (42* off 22) and MS Dhoni (25 off 13) tried to fightback, but the required run rate was too high.

With 10 needed off the final two balls for CSK to qualify, Yash Dayal’s slower deliveries denied them a last-minute miracle as the left-arm pacer clinched the win for his team.