Mumbai: MS Dhoni walking in to bat in the 9th or 10th over? Perish the thought. On Monday, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming made it clear that those hoping to see the legend wield his willow early in the innings are in for disappointment. The reason? Dhoni’s knees have seen better days, and so has his ability to run amok for extended stretches.
In CSK’s latest IPL 2025 stumble—a six-run loss to Rajasthan Royals—Dhoni came in at No. 7, contributing a run-a-ball 16 in a chase of 183. Earlier, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he turned up at No. 9 when CSK were gasping at 80/6 in the 13th over. He did smash an entertaining 30* off 16 balls, but the decision to send him in so late left fans, experts, and commentators scratching their heads.
Fleming, however, is having none of it. “His knees aren’t what they used to be, and there’s an attrition aspect to it,” he explained postmatch. “He can’t bat 10 overs at full intensity. If the game’s in the balance, he’ll step in earlier, but otherwise, he’s backing the younger guys.”
The CSK think tank appears to be carefully managing their veteran’s workload, ensuring he is preserved for the crunch moments rather than being overexerted too early. It’s a strategy that makes sense on paper but is proving divisive among CSK faithful, who are accustomed to seeing Dhoni engineer thrilling chases deep into the innings. Another factor at play is the balance of the CSK batting lineup.
With younger, more agile batsmen expected to shoulder much of the responsibility, Dhoni’s role has transitioned into that of a finisher rather than a backbone. His 43-year-old frame is not what it once was, and the rigors of a long T20 tournament mean CSK must be tactical about deploying their most experienced campaigner.
Yet, the debate rages on. Should Dhoni still bat higher up the order, even if it means conserving energy? Or is he best utilized as a last-over specialist? The answer, it seems, depends on the match situation and his body’s limitations. CSK currently languishes at seventh in the points table, with two points from three games. Their next challenge? A clash against Delhi Capitals at MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 5. Will Dhoni’s knees hold up for a last-over blitz? That remains the million-dollar question.
