Chennai Super Kings bounce back with a five-wicket win over Lucknow as MS Dhoni calls for better batting surfaces and aggressive mindset ahead of IPL 2025’s second half
Lucknow, April 15: After halting their five-match losing streak with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni expressed optimism and clarity on what the team needs going forward—confidence, boldness, and better pitches.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Dhoni addressed the team’s recent batting woes, particularly at home, and advocated for batting-friendly wickets to allow his players to play their shots more freely.
“It is good to have a win on our side. Gives confidence to the whole team… Maybe we need to play on wickets that are slightly better so that it will give the batters confidence to play their shots. You do not want to play timid cricket,” said Dhoni.
Match Recap: CSK’s Gritty Comeback at Ekana
Opting to bowl first, CSK contained LSG to 166/7, thanks to tight spells from Ravindra Jadeja (2/24) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45). While Rishabh Pant’s 63 off 49 anchored LSG’s innings, the rest of the batting order failed to convert starts.
In response, debutant Shaikh Rasheed (27 off 19) and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 22) gave CSK a bright start with a 52-run opening stand. But a mid-innings collapse saw them stutter to 111/5.
The pressure was mounting when Shivam Dube (43 off 37)* and MS Dhoni (26 off 11)* stitched an unbeaten partnership to seal the win with three balls to spare, giving CSK their second win of the season.
Dhoni: Seeking Boldness, Not Hesitation
Reflecting on their inconsistency, especially with the bat, Dhoni acknowledged the impact of slow Chennai pitches, which may have restricted stroke-making and confidence.
“We keep losing wickets at the wrong time. One of the reasons could be that the Chennai wicket is slightly on the slower side… When we have played away from home, the batting unit has done slightly better,” he observed.
Standings and Impact
- CSK now have 2 wins from 7 matches, but remain at the bottom of the table.
- LSG dropped to fourth, with their third loss in seven games.
- Dhoni was named Player of the Match, becoming the oldest recipient of the award in IPL history.
With Dhoni calling for bolder cricket and smarter surfaces, CSK hopes to turn their season around, buoyed by the spirit of a fighting win and the promise of youngsters like Rasheed.