Mumbai Indians easily chased down Chennai Super Kings’ lowly total of 9-114 in 74 balls, led by Ishan Kishan who fired 68no from 37 deliveries and Quinton de Kock with 46no from 37 balls.
But the result was set up by CSK’s remarkable batting collapse, slumping to 4-3 as Trent Boult (4-18) and Jasprit Bumrah (2-25) dismantled their top order.
The defeat leaves Dhoni’s side floundering in bottom spot on the IPL table with a 3-8 record, while Mumbai return to the summit.
“It hasn’t been our year,” Dhoni said. “Whether you lose by eight or 10 wickets, it hardly matters, but where we are at this stage of the tournament, it does hurt.
“What you need to see is where we actually went wrong. Right from the second game it was more about the bowling. Rayudu got injured, the other batsman were maybe not there 200% and in cricket when you’re going through a tough phase, you need a bit of luck.
“The games we wanted to bat first, we haven’t won the toss, and there’s no dew and all of a sudden when we bat first there’s dew.
“Whenever you’re not doing well, there can be a 100 reasons.”
Kieron Pollard stepped in as captain for the reigning champions with Rohit Sharma absent and led his side well, strengthening their grip on top spot.
“I think it was a total team effort,” Pollard said.
“Two-three wickets early puts you in the game and to get four-five is fantastic and then the openers going out and finishing off and not leaving any uncertainty was good.
“We want to finish top two and it’s a matter of getting the points and then think about the opponents.”
Fourth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders play second-placed Delhi Capitals on Saturday in a crucial fixture in Abu Dhabi.