Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni blamed the batting unit after his team’s 10-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (October 7).

WATCH – MS Dhoni takes a spectacular catch in second attempt to dismiss Shivam Mavi

Chasing 168 to win, CSK’s middle-order once again faltered under pressure after Shane Watson (50 off 40 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (30 off 27 balls) gave the team a solid foundation with a 69-run stand for the second wicket.

While Dhoni (11 off 12 balls) failed to make a mark with the bat once more, the likes of Sam Curran (17), Kedar Jadhav (7*) and Ravindra Jadeja (21*) also couldn’t take their side over the finishing line.

“In the middle overs, there was a phase when they bowled two-three good overs. Then we lost two-three wickets in a row. If our batting was different during that period, the result would have been different,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Earlier, KKR rode on Rahul Tripathi’s 51-ball 81 (8 fours and 3 sixes) to post 167/10 in 20 overs.

For CSK, Dwayne Bravo (3/37), Karn Sharma (2/25), Sam Curran (2/26) and Shardul Thakur (2/28) did a brilliant job with the ball.

“Initially we gave away a few too many with the new ball. Karn (Sharma) did really well. The bowlers did well to bring them down to 160-odd. As a team we should have achieved the target but the batsmen let the bowlers down,” he added.

Dhoni, who promoted himself to No. 4 against KKR, also stressed on the importance of rotating strike and be innovative.

“Rotation of strike is always important. At times we have to judge the deliveries. There were hardly any boundaries in the last three overs. You have to be slightly innovative in these scenarios. If someone is bowling just back of a length, you have to find a way to hit boundaries. We did not adapt well,” he remarked.

(With PTI inputs)