MS Dhoni takes the blame on himself for the loss in the RCB vs CSK IPL 2025 match

Another match, another poor performance, has been the story for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The five-time champions suffered a heartening 2-run defeat in a sensational nail-biter against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. This was the ninth defeat in IPL 2025 for the Chennai Super Kings and they are still languishing at the bottom of the points table with just a couple of victories in 11 matches. In a very shocking statement, CSK captain MS Dhoni has decided to take the blame on himself for the poor defeat suffered at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

Who should be blamed for Chennai's loss in the RCB vs CSK IPL 2025 clash?

While chasing a mammoth target of 214 runs, the Chennai Super Kings required 42 runs off 21 balls when skipper MS Dhoni arrived at the crease. Unfortunately, Dhoni managed to score just 12 runs off 8 balls before getting dismissed by RCB's left-arm pacer Yash Dayal in the final over of the game where CSK needed as many as 15 runs to seal the deal. During the post-match presentation, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni stated that he should have converted a couple of more shots in the run-chase to ease the pressure on the other end. 

"I felt I should have converted a couple of more shots and eased the pressure, so I will take the blame for it. Shepherd in the death overs was excellent – whatever we were bowling, he was able to hit it for maximum runs," said CSK captain MS Dhoni during the post match presentation. 

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first at home, the Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a brilliant start with both their openers, Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell looking in a lovely form. Both the RCB openers scored excellent half-centuries each, stitching an important 97-run partnership in 9.5 overs. The home team suffered a mini-collapse during the middle-overs losing as many as four wickets for 36 runs. Romario Shepherd then took on the opposition bowlers in the radar, smashing an exceptional unbeaten knock of 53 runs off only 14 balls that included 6 sixes and 4 fours to help RCB post a massive score of 213 runs in 20 overs. 

During the tricky run-chase, Chennai Super Kings got off to an explosive opening, smacking a total of 51 runs in 4.3 overs. It was the 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre who set the stage on fire, racking the RCB bowlers all around the park with some staggering shots. Mhatre's stunning knock of 94 runs off only 48 deliveries that consisted of 9 fours and 5 sixes, kept CSK in the hunt, but unfortunately, he fell six short of his maiden IPL hundred. On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja too played an impressive unbeaten innings of 77 runs off 45 balls, however, he failed to take CSK over the finishing line as Yash Dayal bowled another superb final over for RCB.