Most of Dhoni’s runs came when matches were out of reach: Aakash
MS Dhoni, the iconic captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been a familiar face in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for over a decade. Despite his impressive career, Dhoni’s performance in the ongoing IPL 2025 season has been under scrutiny. Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has added fuel to the fire by questioning the impact of Dhoni on CSK’s dismal campaign.
Chopra pointed out that Dhoni’s batting position has been inconsistent over the last couple of seasons. He opined that most of Dhoni’s runs have come when the matches were already out of reach. “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 stated.
The former India batter further emphasized that Dhoni’s batting position has been a concern for CSK’s fortunes. “When you are batting at position seven or eight, it is not like you are getting a chance to change the course of the match. You are essentially playing for pride,” Chopra said.
Chopra’s statement raises questions about the effectiveness of Dhoni’s batting in the current IPL season. CSK has struggled to post decent totals in most of their matches, and Dhoni’s batting has not been able to turn the tide in their favor. Chopra’s analysis suggests that Dhoni’s batting has been limited to making runs when the match is already lost, which is not a crucial factor in determining the outcome of the game.
Dhoni’s batting has always been a subject of debate among cricket fans. While some argue that he is an experienced player who can still contribute to the team’s success, others believe that his declining batting form should prompt CSK to consider alternative options. Chopra’s statement adds weight to the latter argument, suggesting that Dhoni’s batting is not as impactful as it once was.
CSK’s poor performance in the ongoing IPL season has been attributed to several factors, including the team’s batting woes. They have struggled to post decent totals, and their bowlers have failed to contain the opposition’s runs. Dhoni’s batting has not been able to turn the tide in their favor, and his inconsistent batting position has been a concern for the team’s fortunes.
Chopra’s statement is not without merit. Dhoni’s batting has always been characterized by his ability to make runs at crucial moments in the game. However, in the current IPL season, Dhoni’s batting has been limited to making runs when the match is already lost. This suggests that his batting is not as impactful as it once was, and CSK should consider alternative options.
In conclusion, Aakash Chopra’s statement raises important questions about the impact of MS Dhoni’s batting on CSK’s fortunes. While Dhoni is an experienced player who can still contribute to the team’s success, his batting has been limited to making runs when the match is already lost. CSK should consider alternative options and give younger players a chance to prove themselves.
