Most of Dhoni’s runs came when matches were out of reach: Aakash
MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain and current captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been under the scanner for his batting performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign. His team, CSK, has been struggling to make an impact in the tournament, and Dhoni’s batting has been a major concern for the fans and experts alike.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra has added fuel to the fire by stating that most of Dhoni’s runs in recent seasons have come when the matches were already out of reach. Chopra’s comments have raised questions about the impact Dhoni’s batting has on the team’s overall performance.
In an interview, Chopra pointed out that Dhoni has consistently batted at position seven or lower in every single innings over the last couple of seasons. He added that Dhoni has batted at positions eight or nine about 45% of the time during this period. This statistic suggests that Dhoni’s batting is often limited to the tail-end of the innings, when the match is already out of reach for his team.
Chopra’s comments have sparked a debate about Dhoni’s role in the CSK team. While some fans may argue that Dhoni’s experience and leadership are more valuable to the team than his batting, others may question whether the veteran cricketer is still capable of making a significant impact with the bat.
Dhoni’s batting average in the IPL 2025 campaign is a meager 14.33, with a strike rate of 92.31. While these numbers may not be disastrous, they are certainly not impressive, especially considering the fact that Dhoni is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience.
CSK’s struggles in the IPL 2025 campaign have been well-documented. The team has won only two matches out of seven, and has struggled to put up competitive totals in the first innings. Dhoni’s batting has been a major factor in this, as his team has often found itself in a precarious position after his dismissal.
In order to turn their campaign around, CSK will need to find a way to get more runs from their top-order batsmen, and Dhoni will need to play a more significant role in setting up the team’s innings. Chopra’s comments have highlighted the need for Dhoni to adapt his batting style and take more responsibility in the top-order.
Despite the criticism, Dhoni remains one of the most respected and successful cricketers in the world. His leadership and experience are invaluable to the CSK team, and he has a proven track record of performing under pressure. However, if Dhoni is to continue to be an effective batsman, he will need to find a way to make more significant contributions to the team’s innings.
In the meantime, CSK will need to find a way to get more runs from their top-order batsmen, and Dhoni will need to play a more significant role in setting up the team’s innings. With the IPL 2025 campaign heating up, CSK will need to find a way to turn their fortunes around if they are to remain in the hunt for the title.
