Title: Most of Dhoni’s runs came when matches were out of reach: Aakash
MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has been a stalwart of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Even at the age of 40, Dhoni continues to be a vital cog in the CSK setup. However, former India batter Aakash Chopra has questioned the impact of Dhoni’s batting in the team’s dismal IPL 2025 campaign.
In a recent interview, Chopra opined that most of Dhoni’s runs came when the matches were already out of reach. He pointed out that Dhoni has consistently batted at position seven or lower in every single innings over the last couple of seasons. Moreover, he has batted at positions eight or nine about 45% of the time during this period.
Chopra’s comments are sure to spark controversy, as Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game. However, the former batter’s words have some merit, as Dhoni’s batting has often been criticized for being slow and non-impactful in the early stages of the innings.
Dhoni’s batting has always been about timing and precision. He has an uncanny ability to assess the situation and play accordingly. When the game is in the balance, Dhoni is at his best, and his ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries has been a hallmark of his career.
However, when the match is already out of reach, Dhoni’s batting often becomes less impactful. He tends to focus on consolidating the innings and taking his team to a decent total, rather than going for big shots and trying to push the boundaries.
Chopra’s comments are not entirely unfounded, as Dhoni’s batting has often been criticized for being too defensive-oriented. In the early stages of the innings, Dhoni is often seen playing cautiously, trying to get his eye in and rotate the strike. While this approach can be effective in certain situations, it can also lead to a lack of momentum and acceleration in the innings.
Moreover, Dhoni’s slow batting has often put pressure on the other batsmen in the team. When Dhoni is batting slowly, the other batsmen often feel the need to play aggressively to try and get the scoreboard moving. This can lead to a lack of cohesion and a disjointed approach to batting.
In contrast, when Dhoni is batting aggressively and taking the attack to the opposition, the other batsmen can feed off his energy and play more freely. This is why Dhoni’s batting has often been so effective in the later stages of the innings, when the game is in the balance.
Despite Chopra’s comments, Dhoni remains a vital cog in the CSK setup. His experience and leadership qualities are invaluable to the team, and his batting still has the ability to turn the game on its head.
However, if CSK is to be successful in the future, they may need to re-evaluate Dhoni’s batting role in the team. Perhaps it is time for Dhoni to bat higher up the order, where he can make a greater impact on the game. Alternatively, CSK could look to rotate the batting order and give other batsmen more opportunities to play.
Ultimately, Dhoni’s batting is a double-edged sword. While he is still capable of making a significant impact on the game, his slow batting can also be a liability. As CSK looks to rebuild and improve for the future, they will need to find a balance between Dhoni’s batting and the needs of the team.
