Chennai Super Kings’ struggles in the ongoing Indian Premier League continued as they suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, falling to Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets on Friday in Chennai. Pinned to bat, CSK were bowled out for a paltry 103 runs. On the other hand, KKR chased down the modest target in just 10.1 overs, highlighting CSK’s ongoing challenges. Speaking on CSK’s defeat, MS Dhoni noted that they need to look deep down inside. 

"I think it's quite a few nights haven't gone our way. What's important is to look deep down inside. I feel the challenge was there, but it's important to accept that challenge, figure out ways how you'll tackle the difficult deliveries and then look to get runs on the board. Today I felt we didn't really have enough runs on the board,” MS Dhoni told the broadcaster after the loss

CSK, who were led by MS Dhoni for the first time in the ongoing season, failed to fire, registering their lowest-ever total at Chepauk. In the first innings, CSK batters also found it really difficult to bat, with KKR bowlers having a great advantage. The ball was slowing before reaching the batters.

"Yes it did, but it has been the case over here. Whenever we bowled first, even in the second innings it stopped a bit. But today in the first innings also it was stopping. But also if you lose too many wickets, it looks very different because it puts pressure on the batsman who is going in, and with quality spinners it becomes slightly difficult and we never really got any kind of partnerships going. So that also makes it tough. I feel overall a bit more partnerships, a bit more runs, a bit more application and we'll be on track.”

The biggest weakness for CSK this season so far has been their powerplay batting, where they have not quite been able to capitalise. 

"What is important is to also see the conditions. I feel there have been couple of games where we have done decently well. But what is important is to back your strength and play the shots that you can play, we don't want to match somebody or someone else's team play.”

"What is important is our openers are good openers and they just need to back themselves and play authentic cricket shots. They're not the ones who will start slogging or look to hit across the line. But what is also important is not to get desperate seeing the scoreboard. You need, maybe one or two boundaries and run rate keeps on going. If you start looking for 60 in six overs with our line-up, it will be very difficult for us. It's important to get partnerships going, maybe look to capitalise in the middle and and the later overs. That's what our strength will be. But if we lose too many wickets, the middle order needs do their role differently and the slog has been delayed for quite a while."