May 3, 2025: In a dramatic last-over finish at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) came heartbreakingly close to victory but fell short by just 2 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 52 of the IPL 2025. Following the defeat, CSK veteran MS Dhoni accepted responsibility for the loss, admitting that he should have finished the job during the tense final moments of the chase.
Tasked with scoring 15 runs off the last over, Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja faced RCB’s death-over specialist Yash Dayal, who kept his composure under pressure. Dhoni’s innings came to an abrupt end when he was trapped in front of the stumps on a low full toss—a dismissal that ultimately sealed CSK’s fate.
“When I went into bat, with the kind of deliveries and the runs needed, I felt I should’ve converted a couple more shots to ease the pressure. I take the blame,” Dhoni said in a candid post-match interview.
Earlier, CSK appeared to be in control when Shivam Dube hit a massive six off a no-ball, reducing the equation to six runs required from three deliveries. But Dayal responded with ice in his veins, nailing his yorkers and denying the visitors the boundary they desperately needed.
RCB’s innings had earlier received a massive boost from Romario Shepherd, who turned the tide with an explosive 53* off just 14 balls—the second-fastest fifty in IPL history. After half-centuries from Virat Kohli (62) and Jacob Bethell (55), Shepherd’s late blitz took RCB to an imposing 213/5.
Reflecting on the bowling at the death, Dhoni praised Shepherd’s brilliance and acknowledged CSK’s failure to execute yorkers effectively. “Romario Shepherd was brilliant. Whatever the bowlers bowled, he was able to get maximum runs. We need to practice more yorkers,” Dhoni admitted.
He added that while yorkers and low full tosses are difficult to hit, missing them by even a fraction can be costly. “If the perfect yorker doesn’t happen, a low full toss is the next best thing. Somebody like Pathirana has pace and can bowl bouncers to keep the batter guessing.”
Dhoni also stressed the importance of evolving with modern-day T20 demands, particularly when facing death-over specialists. He noted the need for players to develop more shots, like the scoop or paddle, which could help counter yorker-heavy strategies.
“Most of our batters don’t play the paddle shot. Jaddu plays it, but he’s more comfortable down the ground. It is something you need to practice in the new era,” he explained.
Despite the defeat, Dhoni applauded 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre’s heroic 94 off 48 balls, which kept CSK in the hunt throughout the chase. “He played well. Batting was an area where we were slightly behind. But today, as a department, I feel the batting did very well.”
With this loss, CSK remain at the bottom of the IPL 2025 table, while RCB continue their rise, now leading the standings. As Chennai grapples with a tough season, Dhoni’s leadership and honesty remain a guiding light for a young and evolving squad.