IPL 2019 | We needed good batting at the top, says a disappointed MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings had to chase down an under-par target of 161 posted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday but the failure of the middle order meant that the onus was once again solely on skipper MS Dhoni to take the team through. While Faf Du Plessis has been in form over the six matches that he has played so far, with 178 runs, the South African skipper could only manage five runs on Sunday.

Shane Watson and Suresh Raina were also wrapped for five and zero respectively as middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav was also dismissed cheaply, while Ambati Rayudu failed to convert a slow start into anything substantial as he was dismissed for a run-a-ball 29. 

The side eventually lost the match by one run despite MS Dhoni’s career-best innings of 84 in 48 balls, and the skipper was clearly disappointed.

"I think it was a good game. We did really well to restrict them to a below-par total, but we needed some good batting at the top. Once you know the opposition attack, you have got to stick to your plans and if you lose too many wickets upfront that puts pressure and the middle order really can't go after the bowlers from the start," Dhoni said, at the post-match presentation, reported PTI.

Despite playing ten innings each, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu have only scored 147, 207 and 192 runs respectively. The skipper suggested the trio to improve their shot selection and finish the games for the side.

"It's easy to go and play the big shot and even if I get out others will do the job. Problem arises when you don't play big shots and that puts pressures on others. That's something we need to calculate. That's why I think the top three can be finishers. They may do it a few times,” remarked the 37-year-old.

"When you bat at Nos 5, 6 or 7 whatever you are calculating you have to put a lot of thinking behind it because you lose one more wicket and the game is over at that point of time,” he added.

The encounter at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium was expected to be a high scoring one, but the skipper pointed out that that pitch played out differently.

"It was still difficult at the end. It was slightly spongy (the pitch) and the new batsmen found it difficult. Boundaries were needed and yes we have lost by one run but at the same time we have to see what if there were few dot balls and whether we could have got those extra boundaries or not,” he signed off.