Daijiworld Media Network- Chennai

Chennai, Apr 15: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally found relief in IPL 2025, halting their five-match losing streak with a five-wicket win, thanks to a vintage late flourish from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and a composed finish by Shivam Dube.

Still languishing at the bottom of the points table, CSK notched just their second win of the season. Speaking after the match, Dhoni admitted the campaign had been a struggle but expressed hope the victory could reignite the team’s confidence.

“It’s good to win a game. In a tournament like this, momentum matters. Unfortunately, the earlier games didn’t go our way—for a lot of reasons,” Dhoni reflected. “When it doesn’t come your way in cricket, God makes it very tough, and it was a tough game. We struggled in the powerplay and couldn’t find momentum with the bat either.”

Despite the pressure, Dhoni rolled back the years, hammering 26 runs off just 11 deliveries to swing the momentum CSK’s way. The 19th over turned the game on its head as Shivam Dube unleashed a masterclass under pressure, plundering 19 runs off Shardul Thakur, including a six off a full toss and a four off a no-ball.

Dube, who remained unbeaten on 43 off 37 balls, calmly hit the winning runs in the final over. He later shared his tactical mindset in the post-match interview.

“This means a lot. Losing five games in a row—that’s not CSK. Today, I wanted to stay till the end. After losing a few wickets, I decided to take the game deep. It wasn’t about attacking—it was about adapting to the situation,” said Dube.

“My plan was simple—don’t try to hit the ball too hard, especially when the bowlers are executing well. Taking the positives forward is key.”

As CSK search for consistency in the remaining matches, fans will be hoping this performance marks a turning point in their turbulent season.