India, March 29 -- In a high-voltage encounter at Chepauk, Chennai Super Kings not only crumbled to a 50-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru but also left fans and experts puzzled with their batting decision of MS Dhoni walking in at No. 9, when the match was already almost beyond reach.

Chasing a daunting 197, CSK never recovered from a nightmare start, losing Ruturaj Gaikwad for a duck and slipping to 8/2 inside two overs. Rachin Ravindra (41) and Sam Curran attempted to stabilize the innings, but their struggle to keep pace with the mounting required rate only deepened CSK's woes.

Yet, as wickets tumbled, the sight of Dhoni still padded up in the dugout raised eyebrows.

When Yash Dayal's twin strikes in the 13th over dism...