After Chennai Super Kings suffered a crushing nine-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, their eighth match of IPL 2025, MS Dhoni acknowledged that the team’s playoff hopes are dwindling—and hinted that the remaining fixtures could be used to prepare for the next season.
With just four points from eight matches and placed at the bottom of the table, CSK now face the daunting task of winning all remaining games while relying on other results to go their way. Dhoni, standing in as captain, struck a pragmatic tone in the post-match press conference. “We’ll take it one game at a time,” he said. “If we lose a few more, what will be important is to get the right combination for next year.”
While Dhoni made it clear that CSK are not giving up yet, he emphasized the importance of identifying a settled core squad for 2026. “We don’t want too many players getting changed,” he said. “So even if we don’t qualify, securing a solid eleven for next year is key.”
Reflecting on the match, where CSK posted 176/5 and were overwhelmed by MI’s chase in just 15.4 overs, Dhoni admitted the team has struggled to play quality cricket. “We need to see if we’re playing the right brand of cricket. Are we applying ourselves and putting up totals that give our bowlers a chance to defend?” he questioned. “A few dropped catches can be addressed, but plugging the strategic gaps is crucial.”
One bright spot for CSK in an otherwise forgettable outing was 17-year-old debutant Ayush Mhatre. Coming in as an injury replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre made an instant impact with a blistering 32 off 15 balls. His fearless intent, including 24 runs off his first 10 deliveries, earned praise from Dhoni. “He batted with the right approach—attacking, but smart,” said the CSK veteran. “That’s the kind of top-order intent we need. He’s definitely a good sign for the future.”
With head coach Stephen Fleming also admitting recently that CSK are rotating their full squad to test combinations, the focus now appears to be shifting toward long-term planning. For a team that has tasted immense success under Dhoni’s leadership, 2025 may mark a year of difficult transitions—but also of necessary evolution.
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