Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings did not have the best of starts in IPL 2025. After winning their season opener against Mumbai Indians, CSK lost back to back games against RCB and RR.
The loss to RCB at Chepauk was the first since 2008. Chasing 197 to win, they lost the match by 50 runs, which is one of their biggest losses in terms of runs in the IPL.
Against Rajasthan Royals, despite the best efforts of Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni, they fell short by six runs chasing 183 to win. CSK needed 20 off the final over and the stage was set for a perfect finish from the former CSK skipper but he could not. The over was bowled by Sandeep Sharma who got the better of MSD.
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Ravindra Jadeja's Insta Story With MS Dhoni After Loss To Rajasthan Royals
After back to back losses, CSK are currently placed seventh on the points table. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja shared a three-word story on his official Instagram handle that said “Things will change.” Thus Jadeja was hopeful that the tide will turn for the franchise going forward.
Meanwhile, there has been a lot of talking about MS Dhoni's batting position in the CSK playing XI. Against RR, he walked out to bat at number seven. Against RCB, he walked out to bat as low as number nine, shocking all cricket fans and experts.
After the loss against RR, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming explained that Dhoni could not bat for a longer period due to his dodgy knees.
"MS judges it. His body is, his knees aren't what they used to be. And he's moving okay, but there's still an attrition aspect to it. He can't bat 10 overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game's in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he's balancing that," said Fleming.
"I said it last year [as well], he's too valuable to us - leadership and wicket-keeping - to throw him in nine, ten overs. He has actually never done that. So, look, from around 13-14 overs, he's looking to go depending on who's in," he added.
Chennai Super Kings next play the Delhi Capitals in Delhi on April 5, Saturday, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
