MS Dhoni was the pillar on which the Indian Premier League (IPL) stood. This is a common opinion held, especially by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans. The ‘pillar’ now stands in a destitute building. It has no purpose. People come to gawk at it and praise the revels of the past.
MS Dhoni’s decline
What Dhoni did for CSK and the IPL was incredible. But what we have been seeing for the last couple of years, and especially in the 2025 edition, has been demoralising. The crowd may go wild every time Dhoni enters the middle, but any educated watcher knows that if Thala enters the ground, it’s likely that CSK have lost the match.
In the match against the Delhi Capitals on April 5, Dhoni came to bat at number seven. What was fascinating was that since IPL 2023, this was the first time Dhoni came out to bat in the first 11 overs of a match. His fitness and ability to strike from the get-go had diminished so much that he pushed himself down the order.
Many had lost their minds at the fact that Dhoni had come out to bat at number nine against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Well, that wasn’t even the worst of the former CSK captain in the IPL 2025 season.
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Horror knock against DC
With Dhoni’s family present at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for the DC, speculation regarding his retirement came about. If he does retire, it would become a sad way to go. That’s because Dhoni played one of his worst knocks at Chepauk. He scored just 30 runs from 26 balls.
The legendary wicketkeeper played six dot balls and hit just two boundaries. It seemed like he was in no mood to hit a boundary for the first 18 balls. He kept tucking the ball away for singles. It was baffling what he was doing.
And it was in his last 8 balls that Dhoni struck these two boundaries. CSK were 74/5 in 10.4 overs when he came out to bat. 110 runs were needed in 56 balls. But he didn’t seem to try. CSK lost by 25 runs. Had this been the Dhoni of 5 years old, CSK may have still lost, but he would have given his all.
It’s time for Dhoni and CSK to accept something. It’s not that Dhoni willingly didn’t try, but it’s just that he can’t do it anymore.
