MS Dhoni’s Rare Outburst After CSK’s Crushing Loss to SRH: ‘You Can’t Just Keep Going’
NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) endured yet another heartbreaking defeat in the IPL 2025 campaign, falling to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 5 wickets at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. The loss left CSK’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread, and for the first time this season, captain MS Dhoni couldn’t mask his disappointment, delivering a rare, candid critique of his team’s performance.
The defending champions posted a modest total of 154, which SRH chased down comfortably in just 18.4 overs, courtesy of a disciplined bowling attack led by Pat Cummins and a composed batting display. Dhoni, known for his unflappable demeanor, admitted that the score was far from justifiable on a Chepauk pitch that offered no significant challenges. ‘It wasn’t turning a lot, a little two-paced but nothing out of the ordinary. I think 154 wasn’t enough,’ he said in a post-match press conference.
Dhoni pointed out the disparity in conditions, noting that SRH batted under slightly tougher circumstances in the second innings due to a hint of dew. Despite this, CSK’s bowlers, including their spinners, showed promise by bowling in the right areas. However, the lack of runs on the board—Dhoni reckoned they were 15-20 runs short—proved to be the decisive factor. ‘Our spinners had the quality, but we just didn’t have enough to defend,’ he added.
The CSK skipper also praised middle-order batsman Dewald Brevis, whose gritty knock provided a glimmer of hope. ‘Brevis batted really well, and we needed that in the middle order. When spinners come into play, it’s about batsmanship and picking the right areas. But overall, that’s an area we must improve because the middle overs are crucial,’ Dhoni remarked, hinting at persistent issues in the batting lineup.
Reflecting on the broader struggles plaguing the team, Dhoni didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. ‘In a tournament like the IPL, if you have one or two areas to fix, it’s manageable. But when a majority of players are underperforming, you can’t just keep going. We need to make changes. We’re simply not putting enough runs on the board,’ he said, his frustration palpable after CSK slumped to their seventh defeat in nine matches.
This latest loss has pushed CSK to the bottom of the points table with just 2 wins and a meager 4 points from 9 games. SRH, on the other hand, climbed to eighth place with 3 wins and 6 points, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Historically, CSK has been a dominant force at Chepauk, winning 70% of their matches at the venue, but this season’s dismal run paints a starkly different picture.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, the pressure mounts on Dhoni and his men to turn their fortunes around. With marquee players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja yet to hit their peak form, the road ahead looks daunting. Can the Yellow Army rediscover their winning formula, or is this the end of an era for one of the IPL’s most successful franchises? Only time will tell, but for now, Dhoni’s words echo a stark reality: ‘You can’t just keep going.’