New Delhi: In the final moments of Sunday’s match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared to show signs of age. He seemed as if he were 43, resembling a man who had hit a wall, embodying a finisher who had reached his limit.

In the realm of professional sports, one’s reputation is often defined by their most recent performance. If this holds any truth, Dhoni’s declining batting results should raise concerns for both CSK and his supporters.

Many regard Dhoni as the finest finisher in the history of the game, a reputation largely earned not just through his hitting ability but through his strategic approach to chasing targets. He would often take the game to the final over, waiting for the bowler to falter before sealing the victory. No one executed this strategy quite like him.

Currently, he is still attempting to bring matches to a close, but it increasingly appears to be a challenging endeavor. Perhaps the issue lies with our expectations; we continue to anticipate the same performances from Dhoni that he delivered 18 seasons ago during the inaugural IPL.

He is not the same athlete he once was. While his mental acuity remains sharp, his physical capabilities have diminished. On Sunday, when Dhoni came to bat, CSK required 54 runs from 25 balls. The Dhoni of old would have methodically calculated the target—13.5 runs needed per over, a challenging yet achievable task.

However, it seems that a lack of competitive play may be hindering his performance now. He had chances to capitalize but was unable to do so. In the past, Dhoni thrived on such opportunities, punishing bowlers for their mistakes. Ultimately, RR triumphed by 6 runs on Sunday.

Observing his struggles is challenging, particularly in the white-ball format where he typically found a way to succeed. Could he have batted higher in the order to exert pressure on the opposition sooner? Would that have benefited CSK?

“It’s a matter of timing,” stated Stephen Fleming, CSK’s long-time coach. “MS assesses the situation. His physical condition… his knees are not what they once were. He moves reasonably well, but there is still an element of wear and tear. He cannot bat for ten overs at full intensity. Therefore, he evaluates daily what he can contribute. If the match is closely contested, as it was today, he may come in a bit earlier and relies on other players when opportunities arise. He is managing that balance.”

Fleming maintains that Dhoni continues to be an asset to the team. “I mentioned this last year as well; he is too important to us – in terms of leadership and wicketkeeping – to send him in during the last nine or ten overs. He has never actually done that. So, from around the 13th or 14th over, he looks to enter depending on who is batting.”

In the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday, Dhoni batted at No. 9, and his team suffered a 74-run defeat. By that point, it was too late for him to influence the outcome, and if this is CSK's strategy, it may not serve the team well.

The team struggles with finishing and chasing, and Dhoni's contributions are limited. As former India opener Virender Sehwag remarked to Cricbuzz, “For five years, CSK has been unable to chase down totals exceeding 180.”

At 43, Dhoni can still perform feats that many would find difficult. He has his moments, particularly as a wicketkeeper, but he largely finds it challenging to keep pace. Part of the issue is that Dhoni has never been the type to come in and immediately start hitting the ball hard. He typically takes time to settle in before making his move.

However, during the 2023 season, he faced only 57 balls across 16 matches. In the 2024 season, he faced 73 balls, and this season, he has only faced 29 balls. For comparison, between 2008 and 2020, he averaged 260.5 deliveries faced each season.

It is somewhat ironic that the individual who once drove the team’s success now finds himself in this position.

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