Blame Game In MS Dhoni’s CSK After Being First Team To Get Knocked Out Of IPL 2025
In a season where expectations were sky-high, MS Dhoniâs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have become the first team to be officially eliminated from IPL 2025, suffering their eighth defeat of the campaign. The latest blow came at the hands of Punjab Kings (PBKS), who edged past CSK by four wickets in a nail-biting finish at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. With this loss, CSKâs playoff hopes have evaporated, raising tough questions about team selection, execution under pressure, and the fading aura of a franchise once known for its consistency and calm under Dhoni.
Also Read:Â CSK Qualification Scenario: Can MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings Qualify For IPL 2025 Playoffs After Defeat Against Punjab Kings?
Curranâs Heroics Go in Vain as CSK Collapse Yet Again
The match started with promise. After being put in to bat, CSK looked shaky at 48/3, but a sensational 78-run partnership between Sam Curran and Dewald Brevis injected life into the innings. Curran played his finest IPL knock to date, smashing 88 off just 47 balls, including nine fours and four sixes, while Brevis contributed a composed 32 off 26.
âI think Curran is a fighter, we all know. Todayâs wicket was the best weâve had at home, and he showed what heâs capable of,â said MS Dhoni post-match.
However, just as CSK seemed poised to cross the 200-mark, Yuzvendra Chahal’s game-changing hat-trick turned the tide. CSK collapsed from 172/4 to 190 all out, undone by Chahalâs brilliance (4/32) and Arshdeep Singhâs disciplined spell (2/25).
PBKS Chase Anchored by Iyer, Prabhsimran; CSK Bowling Falters Late
Punjabâs chase began with a flourish, as Priyansh Arya (23 off 15) and Prabhsimran Singh (54 off 36) stitched together a rapid 44-run opening stand. But it was Shreyas Iyerâs captainâs knockâ72 off 41 ballsâthat proved decisive. Backed by Shashank Singhâs late fireworks (23 off 12), PBKS overcame a few hiccups to chase down the target in 19.4 overs, winning by four wickets.
For CSK, Khaleel Ahmed (2/28) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) were the pick of the bowlers, but dropped catches and missed opportunities cost them dearly once again.
Dhoni Reflects: âWe Needed More, and We Need to Take Our Catchesâ
In a rare candid post-match interaction, MS Dhoni admitted that despite the batting effort, the team fell shortâboth in runs and in intensity on the field.
âIt was the first time we put enough runs on the board, but I feel it was still short of a par score. The partnership between Curran and Brevis was fantastic, but we need to take our catches,â Dhoni said, subtly acknowledging fielding lapses that have plagued the side all season.
He also praised Brevis for bringing âfresh energyâ to the middle order: âHe brings momentum, he can hit good balls for boundaries, and he adds life in the field. We needed that.â
Where Does CSK Go From Here?
With just two wins from 10 games, CSK is rooted to the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table, and the cracks in the teamâs structure are now fully exposed. Injuries, misfiring veterans, and over-reliance on individual brilliance have made the franchise a shadow of its former self.
As fans and analysts begin to point fingers, the blame game has officially begun in the CSK camp. Is it time for a complete overhaul? Will Dhoni finally hang up his boots? Or is this just a minor blip in a storied franchiseâs legacy?
One thing is certain: with the playoffs now out of reach, CSK must use the remainder of IPL 2025 to regroup, reassess, and reimagine their future.
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