Chennai Super Kings suffered their fifth consecutive loss of the season, this time at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk Stadium. The five-time champions managed only 103/9 in their 20 overs, which KKR chased it down within 11 overs to win by eight wickets. Speaking in the post-match presentation, MS Dhoni pointed out how the team did not have enough runs on the board. “It has been quite a few nights that have not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge. Today I felt we did not have enough runs on the board,” Dhoni said. Dhoni, who replaced injured Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain, pointed out that the pitch conditions have consistently played a key role this season. “It has been the case over here (Chepauk), when we bowled in the 2nd innings, it stopped a bit, today it did in the first innings. When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners, it is difficult," he said. Dhoni also urged the batters to back their strength and play their shots, rather than trying too hard. “We never got any partnerships, and a bit more partnerships, application, and we would be fine. What is important is to see the conditions, couple of games we have done decently well, back your strengths and play the shots you can play. Not match to someone else's play,” he added. Also Read: CSK All Out for 103, Fans Slam Batting, Hail Narine 'We have good openers' Dhoni has stressed that CSK's openers are capable of playing proper cricketing shots and shouldn't be pressured by scoreboard expectations. “Our openers are good openers, play authentic cricket shots, they don't slog or look to hit across the line. It is important not to get desperate, seeing the scorecard. If we start looking for 60 with our lineup (in powerplay,) it will be very difficult for us.” He also added how the middle order must do their job differently, rather than playing the catching-up game. “Get partnerships going, maybe capitalise in the middle and later overs and if we lose wickets, the middle order has to do their job differently. And the slog will be delayed for quite a while,” he added. CSK have struggled with the bat throughout the season, especially in the powerplay. The five champions have a run-rate of 7.11 and have hit just three sixes overall inside the powerplay. In the middle over (7-15), the run-rate further drops to 6.98. While in the death overs, they have a run-rate of 8.63, which is still lower than any other team in IPL 2025.