Most of Dhoni’s runs came when matches were out of reach: Aakash
MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain and current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper, has been a stalwart in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for over a decade. His contributions to the CSK franchise have been immense, and he has been a crucial factor in the team’s success. However, former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has raised questions about the impact Dhoni has had on the team’s performance, particularly in the recent IPL 2025 campaign.
According to Chopra, Dhoni’s runs have largely come when the matches were already out of reach. In an interview, he pointed out that Dhoni has consistently batted at positions seven or lower in every single innings, and has batted at positions eight or nine about 45% of the time during the last couple of seasons.
“Over the last couple of seasons, Dhoni has consistently batted at position seven or lower in every single innings…He has batted at positions eight or nine about 45% of the time during this period,” Chopra said.
While Dhoni’s experience and composure at the crease are undeniable, Chopra’s observation raises questions about the effectiveness of his batting strategy. If Dhoni is consistently batting lower down the order, it implies that the team is already in a precarious situation, and his runs are more of a consolation effort rather than a game-changing innings.
Moreover, this strategy also means that Dhoni is not being given the opportunity to anchor the innings or play the anchor role, which was a hallmark of his batting style during his prime. Instead, he is being asked to play a more peripheral role, coming in at the end of the innings to score a few runs.
It is also worth noting that Dhoni’s batting form has been patchy in recent seasons. He has struggled to score big runs, and his strike rate has been declining. This has led to questions about his ability to still be an effective batter in the IPL.
However, it is also important to note that Dhoni’s role in the team goes beyond just his batting. As the captain, he has been instrumental in the team’s success, and his leadership skills are still highly regarded. He has been able to motivate his teammates and make strategic decisions that have paid off for the team.
In addition, Dhoni’s ability to read the game and make timely adjustments has been impressive. He has been able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and make effective changes to the team’s strategy.
Despite Chopra’s reservations about Dhoni’s batting, it is clear that he still has a significant role to play in the team. He is still a respected figure in the dressing room, and his experience and composure can be invaluable to the team.
In conclusion, while Aakash Chopra’s observation about Dhoni’s batting may raise questions about his effectiveness, it is clear that he still has a significant role to play in the team. As the captain and a senior player, Dhoni’s leadership and experience are still highly valued, and he will continue to play an important role in the CSK’s campaign.
