Dhoni: Royals better side

The long campaign came to a heartbreaking climax but Chennai Super Kings can be proud of the fact they travelled the distance well. It came as no surprise the Super Kings were in a huddle after the game.

Captain M.S. Dhoni is not the kind to be the despondent leader who usually throws excuses at press conferences. They may have been shattered by failing after getting so close to engraving their names as the winners of the first IPL. But Dhoni candidly accepted that Rajasthan were the better side. "They did better than us in all three departments and had players who were there to guide them through tough situations. At the same time I cannot blame my team entirely."

"To be alive in a contest against a strong side till the last ball of the match proved that we tried our best. In this game we win some and lose some and we will have to accept that. The good part is we made it a good match for the spectators who had come to support the team," Dhoni said.

Chennai’s biggest drawback was their lack of options with the imports. It did come to light on summit day when Chamara Kapugedera came out to bat at a crucial stage and could manage only eight runs off 12 balls that pushed the side back considerably.

With an in-form S. Badrinath available to bat, there was no logic in promoting the Lankan but Dhoni downplayed it saying these things will always crop up in hindsight as every player in the team cannot have a good day. "You can’t blame the call. Anyway the decision on promoting him was taken by the coach as I was batting at that time and I respect that decision," he said.