Explained: Why MS Dhoni’s LBW vs KKR sparked a major DRS controversy in IPL 2025

In a match already loaded with expectations as MS Dhoni returned to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a controversial LBW decision against the veteran skipper became the biggest talking point. The incident occurred during CSK’s IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, when Dhoni was adjudged leg-before off Sunil Narine’s bowling.

CSK lost the match by 8 wickets , their third straight defeat at Chepauk this season. The decision has since sparked heated debate among fans and experts alike, with many criticising the lack of a thorough review on the part of the officials.

The UltraEdge showed slight murmurs as the ball passed MS Dhoni's bat 👀

What do you make of the third umpire's decision? 🤔#IPLonJioStar 👉 #CSKvKKR | LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/zAjgaEsO8h

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 11, 2025

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What happened?

Facing Narine in the first innings, Dhoni was struck on the front pad by a delivery that spun in sharply. On-field umpire Chris Gaffaney raised the finger immediately, calling it out. Dhoni, without hesitation, decided to challenge the decision and went upstairs for a review.

What followed was a prolonged third-umpire review by Vinod Seshan. The UltraEdge replay showed a faint murmur as the ball passed close to the inside edge of Dhoni’s bat, raising questions over a possible nick. After reviewing split-screen angles and checking for any bat-pad gap, Seshan upheld the on-field decision.

The ball-tracking showed the delivery clipping the leg stump after pitching in line and impact on line. Dhoni was dismissed for 1 off 4 balls, and although he showed no visible frustration, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming walked out during the strategic timeout and had a lengthy chat with umpire Gaffaney.

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Experts slam lack of clarity

The decision has since attracted a flurry of criticism. Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, pointed out the third umpire’s hesitation while reviewing the footage of the dismissal.

“Listening to the directions of the DRS [third] umpire, he seemed very, very under-confident. He wasn’t really sure because when he was wanting to see the ball at a particular time, he was saying ‘forward’ when he wanted to get it back. So, clearly, he was also under a little bit of indecisiveness, if that’s the right word. But there was something on the UltraEdge, it did pick up something,” Bangar said.

Cricket broadcaster Paul Dennett took things a step further, calling the whole sequence “a disgrace.”

“Dhoni gets give out LBW and reviews it. To my way of thinking, there was enough on UltraEdge there to indicate that he hit it. The umpire said that there’s a gap but I can’t see any gap between bat and ball. The commentators do not even discuss whether it was out or not. Ian Bishop, who is normally good, starts to talk about all the matchups. It was good that they bowled their spinners to Dhoni. No one cares,” Dennett said.

“It was a disaster for CSK and clearly a controversial moment. I don’t understand. Are the IPL commentators also forbidden from discussing umpiring mistakes? Even if it was not a mistake and the umpire got it right, it’s a talking point. They didn’t show again in the main coverage that UltraEdge after the dismissal. I reckon that’s a disgrace,” he added.

The Dhoni LBW . . .

Why didn’t the commentators talk about it?#IPL #CSK #CSKvKKR pic.twitter.com/rezDnlweyo

— Paul Dennett (@PaulDennett_) April 12, 2025