"Not Justifiable": MS Dhoni Blasts CSK Batters, Minces No Words After Defeat Against SRH
MS Dhoni Blasts CSK Batters After Disappointing Loss to SRH in IPL 2025
Key Highlights:
- CSK captain MS Dhoni criticizes team’s batting performance
- 155-run total deemed “not justifiable” on the playing surface
- Dewald Brevis impresses with quick-fire 42 off 25 balls
- Team struggles against spin bowling in middle overs
- Multiple changes in lineup fail to yield desired results
Dhoni’s Candid Assessment
In a characteristically direct post-match analysis, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni didn’t mince words as he addressed his team’s batting performance in their defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025. Despite making strategic changes to the lineup, including the introduction of Dewald Brevis and Deepak Hooda, CSK’s batting woes continued as they lost Shaik Rasheed on the very first delivery.
“We kept losing wickets, and in the first innings the wicket was slightly better and 155 is not a justifiable score, because it wasn’t turning a lot… I feel we could have put few more runs on the board.”
Match Analysis
Brevis’s Impressive Debut
One bright spot in CSK’s performance was debutant Dewald Brevis’s explosive innings of 42 runs off just 25 balls. The South African prodigy provided much-needed momentum in the middle order, though his efforts weren’t enough to compensate for the team’s overall batting struggles.
“I think he (Brevis) batted really well and we need something like that in the middle order where we have slightly struggled when the spinners come in… that’s where we have been lacking and not been really able to dominate or get runs against spinners at good pace in the middle.”
Team’s Ongoing Challenges
Dhoni highlighted the team’s persistent issues, particularly their struggle against spin bowling in the middle overs. The captain emphasized the need for better batsmanship and strategic shot selection, especially when facing spinners. Despite the spinners’ commendable performance in defending the total, the inadequate batting display proved costly.
Areas of Concern:
- Poor start to innings
- Middle-order struggles against spin
- Lack of momentum in batting
- Inconsistent player performances
- Need for strategic adjustments
Looking Forward
The CSK captain emphasized the need for significant improvements in the team’s batting approach. Dhoni stressed that in modern cricket, while scores of 180-200 aren’t always necessary, teams must assess conditions effectively and post competitive totals. With multiple players underperforming simultaneously, CSK faces tough decisions regarding team composition in upcoming matches.
“In a tournament like this, if you have one or two areas where you can plug in the holes it is good, but if majority of your players are not doing well, it becomes very difficult… we are not putting enough runs on the board, because it is essential right now, the game has changed.”
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