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 performances has been questioned by former Indian batter Aakash Chopra in recent times. Chopra, who has been vocal about his opinions on various cricketing issues, has now criticized Dhoni’s batting style, stating that most of his runs come when the matches are already out of reach.
In an interview, Chopra opined that Dhoni’s batting position has been consistently lower down the order in recent seasons. He stated that over the last couple of seasons, Dhoni has batted at position seven or lower in every single innings. Furthermore, Chopra added that Dhoni has batted at positions eight or nine about 45% of the time during this period.
This observation has raised questions about Dhoni’s impact on CSK’s performances, particularly in the current IPL 2025 campaign. The team has struggled to stay afloat, and Dhoni’s batting has failed to inspire the team to victories. Chopra’s comments have sparked a debate about whether Dhoni’s batting style is still relevant in modern T20 cricket.
Dhoni’s batting has always been about his ability to accelerate the scoring rate and take the game away from the opposition. However, in recent times, CSK’s top-order has struggled to set the tone, and Dhoni has been left with the task of rescuing the team from precarious positions. Chopra’s observation that most of Dhoni’s runs come when the matches are already out of reach suggests that he is not able to have a significant impact on the game when it matters most.
Chopra’s criticism of Dhoni’s batting style is not entirely unfounded. Dhoni’s strike rate has been declining over the years, and he has struggled to cope with the pace and quality of the modern-day bowling attacks. In IPL 2025, Dhoni’s strike rate is a mere 104.11, which is the lowest it has been in his T20 career. His average of 24.33 is also the lowest it has been in the IPL, and he has failed to score a half-century in the tournament.
However, it is also important to note that Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK’s team for many years, and his experience and leadership qualities have been invaluable to the team. CSK has a reputation for being a team that thrives under Dhoni’s captaincy, and his presence in the team has always been a major factor in their success.
Despite Chopra’s criticism, Dhoni remains one of the most respected and successful captains in the history of the IPL. His ability to read the game and make strategic decisions has been unparalleled, and he has led CSK to three IPL titles and a Champions League Twenty20 title.
In conclusion, Aakash Chopra’s comments about MS Dhoni’s batting style have raised questions about his impact on CSK’s performances. While it is true that Dhoni’s runs have come when the matches are already out of reach, it is also important to recognize his experience, leadership qualities, and the value he brings to the team. As CSK looks to turn their IPL 2025 campaign around, Dhoni will be expected to play a key role, and his batting will be closely watched.
