 "Harsh words for MS Dhoni after CSK finish at bottom of IPL 2025 table: ''You have overstayed your welcome'")
Chennai Super Kings signed off from the 2025 Indian Premier League with a commanding 83-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the afternoon clash of the Sunday double header in Ahmedabad. The lopsided victory over the current leaders, however, hardly changes the fact that CSK produced their worst performance ever this season, with the five-time champions finishing at the bottom of the points table for the first time in 18 seasons.
MS Dhoni, who has had a forgettable season as batter and later as captain, has continued to remain silent on his future in the IPL despite the legendary wicketkeeper-batter turning 44 in a couple of months’ time.
When asked the question that he has been facing for the better part of the last six years during Sunday’s post-match presentation ceremony, Dhoni insisted he had plenty of time to think about his participation in next year's IPL , and that he was looking forward to unwinding in his hometown Ranchi with a few bike rides after the conclusion of the 18th IPL season.
Former India cricketer Murali Kartik, however, isn’t a fan of the idea of Dhoni continuing to play in the world’s biggest T20 league despite his inability to spend much time at the crease due to a knee surgery in 2023, which has impacted his ability to make meaningful contributions with the bat and has only hurt the team’s cause.
“As much as the world loves Dhoni and as much as certain things we don’t want to end, a day has to come when they have to go. Sometimes what happens is that you don’t want to be pushed, isn’t it? Sometimes, you don’t want even the ones who love you to actually say, ‘You have overstayed your welcome’. Even if it’s MS Dhoni or whoever, just think about it,” Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Now that Virat Kohli has gone, everyone is saying, ‘you had two three years left. You are 36. You are so fit’. With Dhoni, you don’t know. I have always said this he doesn’t allow his left hand to know what his right hand is thinking. For us, it is very difficult to figure out what is going on in his mind,” the former left-arm spinner added.
Don’t think CSK will continue with Dhoni as captain next season, says Kartik
Dhoni returned to captaincy midway during the season after fellow wicketkeeper-batter Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to an injury , and despite being one of the greatest captains in the sport’s history, he could not save the sinking ship that was CSK.
Kartik, however, doesn’t believe Dhoni will captain the franchise in the next season as well if he choose to continue playing, adding that the decision to appoint Gaikwad as captain will have been a long-term one on the franchise’s part.
“One of the main reasons why the captaincy was handed to Ruturaj was the passing of the baton so I don’t think even if MS Dhoni comes back, with MS Dhoni you don’t know what he’s thinking, is it for the sake of the franchise or sake of whatever. No one knows. I don’t think they will take the captaincy away from Ruturaj Gaikwad and give it to Dhoni,” cricketer-turned-commentator Kartik added.
‘Thala’ finished the season with 196 runs in 14 matches at an average and strike rate of 24.50 and 135.17 respectively – which is 35 more than what he had scored last season, but with less than half of the average and a much lower strike rate.
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