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STUMP VISION MAY 09, 2025 | The Indian Eye 38

IPL 2025

CONSISTENCY & FORM:

How CSK lost focus as a team

despite M S Dhoni’s heroics at 43

Former Indian seamer Varun Aaron believes Chennai Sutper Kings’ poor form

has affected the entire team in the ongoing Indian Premier League

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai

hennai Super Kings’ (CSK) hopes of making
the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 play-
Coffs took another hit as they suffered their
eighth loss of the season, going down to Punjab
Kings (PBKS) by four wickets at the MA Chidam-
baram Stadium in Chennai.
Despite a much-improved batting perfor-
mance, MS Dhoni felt the team fell just short of a
competitive total. “I think the batting, yes it was the
first time we put enough runs on the board, but I
feel it was slightly short of a par score,” Dhoni said
after the match, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. “It’s
demanding on the batsmen but we needed slightly
more. The partnership between Curran and Brevis
was fantastic. I think we need to take our catches,”
he added.
CSK posted 190, largely built around a fine
knock from Sam Curran, who smashed 88 off 47
balls--his highest score in the IPL. Partnering him
was young Dewald Brevis, who contributed 32 off 26
balls, including two boundaries and a six. The pair
added a partnership of 78 runs in the middle overs.
Speaking about Curran, Dhoni said, “I think Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni plays a shot during the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings, at MA Chidambaram
Curran is a fighter, we all know. Unfortunately, Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday (ANI)
whenever we have tried to give him a chance so far,
it was a slow wicket, but today’s wicket was the best especially the bowling unit. CSK really depended on lenges on the field, former Australia captain and
one we had at home this season.” Pathirana to get them wickets at the back end and JioStar expert Aaron Finch weighed in on the
The CSK skipper also praised Brevis for his in- defend totals, but he’s been completely off the boil. broader picture, the presence and enduring aura
tent and energy, highlighting the impact he can have He’s changed his action a bit, he’s not landing his of MS Dhoni, even as CSK struggle to find con-
in the middle order. yorkers, and has bowled 31 extras this tournament, sistency.
“I think it’s momentum in the middle order and that’s a lot for a frontline bowler,” Jio Star expert Reflecting on the weight of leadership and the
he’s a very good fielder and he has good power so he Varun Aaron said while speaking on Match Centre charm of Dhoni, Finch said on JioHotstar, “When
can hit good balls for boundaries. He brings energy Live on JioHotstar. Dhoni gave up the captaincy a few years ago, I don’t
in the field too. We needed that fresh air, someone He also noted CSK lacked energy with the bat think he thought he’d have to deal with all this again.
not caught up in the spiral. He can be an asset going in the middle overs before Brevis joined. But it hasn’t gone CSK’s way this season. MS is 43,
forward,” Dhoni added. “With the bat, they’ve lacked impetus in the not playing much cricket, just turning up for the IPL
Former Indian seamer Varun Aaron believes middle overs. Brevis has come in and provided a bit -- but every moment he’s on the field is magical.”
Chennai Super Kings’ poor form has affected the of high-octane energy, but before that, it was miss- Despite limited game time in recent years,
entire team in the ongoing Indian Premier League. ing. They need to go back to the drawing board and Dhoni remains a central figure in the CSK camp
Aaron talked about the bowling unit and CSK bowl- evaluate what went wrong at the auction. They don’t and a massive draw for fans across the globe. Finch
er Pathirana’s struggles. He noted that Pathirana have someone like Tristan Stubbs or Tim David to added, “The noise when he walks out of the dressing
has been off his game, changed his action, isn’t land- finish innings. Yes, MS Dhoni is there, but you can’t room... when he comes out to bat... it’s unbelievable.
ing yorkers, and has bowled many extras. keep depending on him for 18 years,” he added. I urge every cricket fan -- if you can, you must go to
“I think poor form has affected the entire team, While the Super Kings continue to face chal- a CSK game while MS Dhoni is still playing.”

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