MS Dhoni Breaks Silence on CSK’s Struggles, Credits Team Spirit for Breaking Losing Streak

NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events at the IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally broke their disheartening five-match losing streak with a gritty five-wicket victory, led by the ever-reliable captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and a composed knock from Shivam Dube. The win, only CSK’s second of the season, came as a much-needed boost for the defending champions, who continue to languish at the bottom of the points table.

Reflecting on the hard-fought triumph, Dhoni, who clinched the Player of the Match award for his explosive 26 off just 11 balls, opened up about the team’s challenging journey. ‘It’s good to win a game. In a tournament like this, you want to win matches, but unfortunately, the earlier games didn’t go our way for various reasons. This victory gives confidence to the whole team and helps us focus on areas we need to improve,’ Dhoni said in a candid post-match interview.

He didn’t shy away from acknowledging the uphill battle CSK faced during the match. ‘We all knew that when things don’t go your way in cricket, God makes it very tough. It was a difficult game. Whether it was the combination or the conditions, we struggled with the ball in the powerplay. As a batting unit, we couldn’t get the start we wanted, and the fall of wickets added pressure,’ Dhoni elaborated, highlighting the team’s resilience in overcoming these obstacles.

While Dhoni’s late blitz provided the finishing touches, it was Shivam Dube’s calculated 43 not out off 37 balls that anchored CSK’s chase under mounting pressure. Dube turned the game on its head in the 19th over, smashing Shardul Thakur for 19 runs, including a clever four, a towering six off a full toss, and capitalizing on a no-ball. Needing just four runs in the final over, Dube sealed the deal with a boundary off Avesh Khan, ensuring CSK crossed the line with composure.

Speaking after the match, Dube shared his mindset during the tense chase. ‘Losing five games in a row is not what CSK stands for. Our bowlers did a fantastic job, and I wanted to stay till the end to finish the game. After losing wickets in the middle, I felt taking the game deep was the smarter option rather than going all-out attack. My plan was simple—don’t hit the ball too hard because the bowlers were executing well. Taking positives from this game to the next is crucial,’ said Dube, emphasizing his focus on adaptability and situational awareness.

This victory, though a small step, could prove to be a turning point for CSK in a season where they’ve struggled to find rhythm. With Dhoni’s leadership and emerging contributions from players like Dube, the Yellow Army will hope to build momentum and climb up from the bottom of the IPL 2025 standings. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether this win sparks a revival for one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.