May 1, 2025: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni pointed to missed opportunities—both in the field and with the bat—as key reasons behind his team’s four-wicket loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a must-win clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With this defeat, CSK became the first team to be eliminated from the 2024 IPL season.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, Dhoni reflected on the team’s performance, saying:
“I think the batting – yes, it was the first time we put enough runs on the board. But was it a par score? I feel slightly short. Yes, a bit demanding from the batters, but I feel we could’ve got slightly more.”
He also criticized his team’s fielding, citing dropped catches as a significant factor:
“I feel we need to take our catches. The partnership between Brevis and Sam was excellent. We didn’t play the last four deliveries, and the second last over, four batters got out. In close games, those 7 deliveries mean a lot.”
PBKS’s Sam Curran emerged as the standout performer with a stellar 88-run knock, guiding his team to victory. Dhoni praised the English all-rounder:
“Well he’s a fighter (Curran). That’s something we all know. Whenever he turns up he wants to contribute… Today’s wicket was one of the best we’ve got at home in this tournament. That’s the reason I felt we needed another 15 runs.”
Dhoni also acknowledged Dewald Brevis’s role in the win:
“He brings momentum in the middle order. He’s a very good fielder, has power, and can hit good balls for boundaries. He brings good energy. Happy with the way he’s playing. He can be an asset going ahead.”
CSK’s elimination marks a disappointing end to what could potentially be Dhoni’s final IPL season, though no official announcement has been made regarding his future.