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"Get A Secured XI For Next Year" MS Dhoni On CSK's Long-Term Plans Amid IPL 2025 Struggles

Aakash Saini

MS Dhoni during IPL 2025 [Source: IPLT20.COM]MS Dhoni during IPL 2025 [Source: IPLT20.COM]

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise went down to Mumbai Indians by nine wickets and 26 balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium in match 38 of the IPL 2025 season. Batting first, the visitors accrued a competitive 176-5 from 20 overs after losing both openers early in the innings.

Despite forming a decent total upfront, CSK captain MS Dhoni threw his batters under the bus for succumbing to a huge defeat against the Mumbai Indians. 

Moreover, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter also subtly admitted that CSK’s prospects of winning the IPL 2025 title is pretty much over, and the team management will now focus on shaping up a playing XI for next year.

MS Dhoni speaks after big defeat

CSK captain MS Dhoni believes that 176 was not a par score on the Wankhede Stadium surface, largely owing to the dew factor in the second innings. 

The former Indian cricketer also believes that CSK batters should have capitalised and started slogging a bit early, considering Mumbai Indians started their death bowling early with ace paceman Jasprit Bumrah.

While speaking during the post-match presentation, MS Dhoni said:

“I think we were quite below par, because we all knew that dew will come in the second half and we were in a position to exploit the middle overs, and I just felt that Bumrah being one of the best death bowlers in the world right now, I felt once they started their death bowling early, that was the time we should have capitalized and started our slog slightly early and after that even if Bumrah also goes for runs it's a plus point, I think there were a few overs there we could have got slightly more runs. We needed those runs because 175 with the dew around is not a par score.”

With just two wins from eight matches, MS Dhoni also added that CSK will now take it one game at a time for the rest of the IPL 2025 season, all while aiming to shape up a line-up for next year. He said:

“Those are the question marks we have got, few catches and that will help. Other than that we are just trying to plug in the holes, with all the games that are in front of us that we are supposed to win, we just take it one game at a time and if we lose a few, what will be important for us is to get the right combination for next year. You don't want too many players getting changed, what will be important is to try and qualify, but if not get a secured 11 for next year and come back strong.”

Securing a spot in the playoffs has now turned out to be an uphill task for the CSK, considering they need to win each of their remaining six matches to stay in contention for a top four finish.

Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, CSK will now face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match 43 of the IPL 2025 season on Friday, April 25.