MS Dhoni isn't winning matches for CSK anymore, franchise at crossroads

MS Dhoni still gets the loudest cheers wherever he goes, but his performances on the field are just not the same anymore. In Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) 25-run loss to Delhi Capitals (DC), their third straight defeat in IPL 2025 season, Dhoni stayed not out on 30 from 26 balls, but his innings didn’t really help the team when they needed quick runs.

The asking rate kept going up, even crossing 24 runs per over at one point, but Dhoni didn’t show the urgency or power-hitting he was once known for. The 43-year-old did smash a couple of sixes towards the end, but it was already too late. Dhoni came in to bat in the 11th over and he mostly played it safe with singles and dot balls, and the match slipped away from CSK.

Dhoni’s bat has gone quiet

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Since the Impact Player rule started in the IPL, Dhoni’s role has mostly been limited to short appearances that bring back nostalgia but don’t really help CSK win matches. Every time CSK lose a wicket, the loudest cheer comes from the Chennai crowd, it’s clear they’re more excited to watch Dhoni bat than they are about the team’s performance.

In fact, he hasn’t hit even one six in a winning cause since IPL 2023, which is surprising for someone who used to be one of the best finishers in the game. In the match against DC, Dhoni and Vijay Shankar didn’t show the urgency needed to chase down 184. They stitched together an unbeaten 84-run partnership, and despite that, CSK never really looked like they could chase the target.

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In their game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), CSK lost quick wickets in the 13th over, but instead of sending Dhoni, the team went with Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Dhoni only came in at No. 9 when the match was all but finished. CSK needed 67 runs off the last 6 balls to win, but the Chepauk crowd didn’t mind, they were just happy watching Dhoni hit three boundaries in the final over.

In the match after that, against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati, CSK had a chance to send Dhoni when Vijay Shankar got out in the 12th over. But again, Jadeja went in instead. Dhoni finally came in when 54 runs were needed off just 25 balls, and even then, he didn’t show any intent to actually finish the game. Dhoni kept playing his own game as the game kept slipping away from CSK.

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Is it time for CSK to move on?

With CSK stuck in the bottom half of the IPL 2025 points table and their chances of making the playoffs looking tough, the team is in a tricky situation. There are young players waiting for a chance, but Dhoni, who is now 43, is still holding on to an important spot in the playing XI. The contributions that he makes on the field come either from the gloves or with strategic inputs, but nothing from the bat.

No doubt, Dhoni has done a lot for CSK over the years, but maybe it’s time for the team to start thinking about moving on. The IPL is super competitive now, and picking players just because of past memories or fan love might not work anymore.