After loss, MS Dhoni offers guru mantra to failing batting, says “middle-order needs to do job differently”

MS Dhoni's CSK slumped to fifth successive defeat in IPL 2025, after their batting failed them once again.

Another game, another loss for CSK, this time to KKR at home, that too by a margin of eight wickets. When MS Dhoni took over as the skipper of the Chennai side, after an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad, the fans would have hoped for a better show by the team, but clearly they expected a tad too much, by this struggling side.

One Bad Night Too Many for CSK

Their batting woes came to the fore again, as they were restricted to only 103 and the total was chased down in 11th over itself. Even Dhoni could not help but admit the truth, that their batting in powerplay, and overall, has been pathetic. “It has been quite a few nights that has not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge. Today I felt we did not have enough runs on the board,” the 43-year-old said after the defeat.

But then MS Dhoni has to take the blame himself too, where not only the batters failed, but his decisions were also not up to the mark, when he came into bat at No. 9, did not introduce Noor Ahmad for the longest time..

MS Dhoni Points Out Weaknesses

“It has been the case over there, when we bowled in the 2nd innings it stopped a bit, today it did in the fist innings. When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners it is difficult. We never got any partnerships and bit more partnerships, application and we would be fine.”

It did not end there. In fact, it started with the second-worst powerplay of the season, where CSK just scored 31/2. Addressing the issue, Dhoni said, that the top order needs to be more patient and not get worried after seeing the scoreboard. “What is important is to see the conditions, couple of games we have done decently well, back your strengths and play the shots you can play. Not match to someone’s else play. Our openers are good openers, play authentic cricket shots, they don’t slog or look to hit across the line.

A Word for Struggling Middle-Order

“It is important not to get desperate seeing the scorecard. If we start looking for 60 with our lineup it will be very difficult for us. Get partnerships going, maybe capitalise in the middle and later overs and if we lose wickets, the middle order has to do their job differently. And the slog will be delayed for quite a while.”