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. However, his impact on the team’s performance has been questioned by many, including former India batter Aakash Chopra. According to Chopra, most of Dhoni’s runs in the recent seasons have come when the matches were already out of reach.
Dhoni has been a consistent feature in the CSK lineup, batting at positions seven or lower in every single innings over the last couple of seasons. Moreover, he has batted at positions eight or nine a staggering 45% of the time during this period. This has led many to question the impact he has on the team’s performance, especially in the current IPL season.
Chopra’s comments come amid CSK’s dismal campaign in IPL 2025, where they have struggled to make an impact. The team has lost five of their seven matches so far, and Dhoni’s batting has been one of the few bright spots. However, Chopra feels that Dhoni’s runs have come at a time when the matches were already beyond saving.
“It’s not about Dhoni’s individual performance, but about the impact he has on the game. When he bats, it’s usually in a situation where the match is already out of reach. He has consistently batted at position seven or lower in every single innings over the last couple of seasons. And when he bats at positions eight or nine, it’s about 45% of the time during this period,” Chopra said in an interview.
Chopra’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts, with many questioning the need for Dhoni in the CSK lineup. However, others have defended Dhoni, citing his experience and leadership qualities as key factors in the team’s success.
Dhoni’s ability to motivate and lead his team has been one of his greatest strengths throughout his career. He has a reputation for being able to turn matches around single-handedly, and his presence in the middle can often lift the spirits of his teammates. However, Chopra’s comments highlight the need for CSK to rethink their batting order and find ways to get the best out of their top-order batsmen.
CSK’s top-order has struggled to fire in the current season, with the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, and Faf du Plessis failing to make an impact. The team has relied heavily on Dhoni and other lower-order batsmen to get them out of trouble, but this approach has not yielded the desired results.
Chopra’s comments also raise questions about the team’s strategy and the roles of their batsmen. CSK’s batting order has been criticized for being too defensive-minded, with many of their batsmen playing cautiously and trying to preserve their wickets. This approach may have worked in the past, but it is no longer effective in today’s fast-paced IPL.
In recent seasons, teams have adopted a more aggressive approach, with a focus on scoring quickly and taking the game away from their opponents. CSK needs to adapt to this new reality and find ways to get their top-order batsmen to fire. Dhoni’s presence in the middle can still be valuable, but the team needs to rethink their batting strategy and find ways to get the best out of their top-order.
In conclusion, Chopra’s comments highlight the need for CSK to rethink their batting order and find ways to get the best out of their top-order batsmen. While Dhoni’s leadership qualities and experience are still valuable, his batting needs to be more impactful if the team is to succeed. CSK needs to adopt a more aggressive approach and find ways to get their top-order batsmen to fire, rather than relying on their lower-order batsmen to get them out of trouble.
