“Need to be taken …”: MS Dhoni Blunt as CSK’s IPL 2025 playoff hopes faded away after losing PBK

The Indian Premier League (IPL) visited Chennai Super Kings in 2025 came to a disappointing end as they became the first team to officially end the playoff race after a thrilling four wickets at Ma Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday. This is a historic low for MS Dhoni-Left franchise, as they have now failed to go into the playoffs in two consecutive sessions-something that had never happened before in the team’s magnificent history.

“I think batting – yes, this was the first time we scored enough runs on the board. But was it an equal score? I felt a little younger. Yes, I was demanding a little bit from the batsmen, but I think we can be a little more. I think we need to take our catch,” MS Dhoni said after the match.

“The partnership between Brevis and Sam was excellent. We did not play the last four delivery, and the second one in the four batsmen came out for the last time. In close sports, those 7 delivery means a lot. Ok. He is a fighter (curan).

Batting for the first time in Chepuk, CSK rode a brilliant knock by Sam Curan, who scored a fluent 88 off just 47 balls, with nine fours and four sixes. Power-play came in an uncertain 48 for 3, Curan took charge of the innings and stitched a significant 78-run stand with Developed Brevis (32), stabilized the ship and raised CSK to a competitive clan.

Curan’s strokeplay was at its peak in the 16th over, when he took the young Suryash Shej into a cleaner, broke it for 26 runs, including two sixes and two borders. The English all -rounder was ready to be taken forward from 200 200, but he killed a bouncer from Marco Jansen in the 18th over.

Just when CSK was installing a strong finish, Yuzvendra Chahal changed the game to his head. Leg-spinner, who bowled only two overs till 19th, returned the penaltimet to bowl and scripted a remarkable collapse.

After Dhoni was a hit for six, Chahal dismissed him the next ball. This was followed by a procession-Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmed all fell into quick succession as Chahal picked up a sensational hat-trick, his second in IPL, to limit CSK to 190.

In response, Punjab Kings started brightly, opener Prabhasimran Singh established tone with 36-gent 54. He combined well with Captain Shreyas Iyer, who held one end and placed his innings completely with 41-ball 72.

Despite losing some wickets in the middle overs, which includes well -set Prabasimran and Shashank Singh (23), PBK remained calm. A little luck on Iyer’s acceleration and death helped Punjab chase the target in 19.4 overs.

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