IPL 2025: Dhoni Admits Late Slog Cost CSK in Heavy Defeat to Mumbai Indians

With their massive loss at the hands of Mumbai Indians during Match 38 of the IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni agreed that his team had played an under-par performance and had to change their batting strategy in earlier stages of the match.

Batting first at Wankhede Stadium after losing the toss, CSK scored 176/4 in their 20 overs. In spite of a early loss, a 15-ball 32 by 17-year-old debutant Ayush Mhatre, supported by Shivam Dube's (50) and Ravindra Jadeja's (53*) fifties, got them to post a fighting total.

But Mumbai Indians made easy work of the pursuit. Rohit Sharma's elegant 76 from 45 balls and Suryakumar Yadav's big-hitting 68 from just 30 balls powered the hosts to a commanding nine-wicket victory with 26 balls to spare.

Addressing the post-match presentation, Dhoni acknowledged his team was short of the mark with the bat. "We were really below par. Knew dew was going to come in the second half," he stated. "(Jasprit) Bumrah is one of the greatest death bowlers in the world, MI began their death bowling very early, we should have begun our slog very early. We should have cashed in and got those runs."

Dhoni observed that the pitch provided some traction at times, but Mumbai scored intelligently against the spinners. "The odd ball was gripping. They played spin well. We never had a par score. If you give away too many in the first six. It wasn't like it was coming on nicely."

He saved his best words for young Ayush Mhatre, whose aggressive knock impressed the CSK captain. "[Mhatre] Batted well; he picked his shots well. Wanted to play his shots, we also haven't seen him much."

Dhoni also spoke about CSK's weaknesses in the field and asked his team to remain calm despite a series of poor performances. "We need to understand, we are winning because we are playing good cricket. But we should not get too emotional. We should check whether we are playing the right kind of cricket, attempting to score the right number of runs."

He further added, "A few more catches will do the trick; we are attempting to plug the holes. Take one game at a time. Consider the combinations for next season, if we do not qualify."

With their hopes of making it to the playoffs hanging in the balance, CSK will have to experience a turnaround in both form and execution in order to remain in the running.