Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni took the blame for his team's loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. CSK failed to score 15 runs off the last over while chasing the target of 214 set up by RCB as they slumped to their ninth loss of the season. MS Dhoni walked out to bat in the 17th over with 42 runs required off 20 balls. The veteran scored 12 runs off 8 balls with one six but failed to take his team over the line after falling to Yash Dayal in the 19th over. "When I went into bat, with the kind of deliveries and runs needed, I think I should have converted couple of more shots to ease the pressure. So, I would take the blame for it," Dhoni said the post match presentation. After being asked to bat first, RCB started brilliantly with both openers Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli scoring fifties. The middle order trampled as CSK pulled back things. However, an assualt in the last 14 balls by Romario Shepherd meant that RCB posted a big total of 213. Shepherd smashed a 14 ball half-century after coming to bat in the 18th over and scoring 53 runs with six sixes and four fours. "I thought they got off to a good start. We pulled it back in between but Romario Shepherd was brilliant in the death over. Whatever our bowlers were bowling, he was able to get maximum runs," Dhoni said. Dhoni also felt that CSK's bowlers needed to execute yorkers better to keep the batters in check during the slog overs. "I think we need to practice more yorkers because when batters start to connect, then you have to rely on yorkers "I think we need to practise more yorkers because if you see more often than not, when the batsman starts to connect, then you have to rely on yorkers," Dhoni said. "So, if you're looking for a perfect yorker, [and] if that doesn't happen, a low full toss is the next best thing because it's one of the most difficult balls to hit. So, I think that's where we need to improve." CSK has played 11 games winning just two of them and are out of the IPL 2025.
