Chennai Super Kings suffered their third defeat in four matches during IPL 2025, losing by 25 runs to Delhi Capitals at home on Saturday. MS Dhoni, the team's iconic former captain, was unable to change the outcome for the Super Kings in their pursuit of 184 runs. He entered the game in the 11th over with the team struggling at 74/5, becoming the last recognized batsman. However, his innings raised more questions than it answered.

Dhoni ended with an unbeaten score of 30 off 26 balls, which may appear respectable at first glance. Yet, within the context of the match, it was frustratingly slow. The required run rate had already escalated by the time he arrived, and despite the urgent need to form a partnership, Dhoni did not attempt any significant shots during the middle overs. His first 18 balls yielded only 13 runs, primarily consisting of singles and a couple of twos.

His batting partner, Vijay Shankar, who had already faced 23 balls when Dhoni joined, also struggled to accelerate the scoring. The duo managed to rotate the strike throughout the middle overs but failed to hit boundaries, leading to an alarming increase in the required run rate, which soared to over 22 runs per over in the final three overs.

While Shankar made some efforts to break the shackles, Dhoni remained subdued until the last three overs.

It was only in the 18th and 19th overs that Dhoni displayed glimpses of his aggressive batting, hitting a four past backward point and a six over long-on. However, by that time, the match was already beyond reach. CSK needed 64 runs from the last three overs, a daunting task that demanded consistent big hitting from both batsmen.

Fans expressed their anger towards Dhoni's strategy on social media, questioning the rationale behind prolonging the chase, especially when the situation was already dire.

Debate over Dhoni's future

For a team that has consistently depended on Dhoni's composure in high-pressure situations, this match marked an unusual instance where his cautious approach hindered the team's performance. Although fans were excited to witness his batting at Chepauk, this innings has sparked renewed discussions regarding Dhoni's role within the team.

In a previous match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season, Dhoni came to bat at number nine, despite the team needing to chase a substantial score. Ultimately, the team suffered a defeat by 50 runs.

Following the loss to Delhi Capitals, CSK currently sits in eighth place with two points from four matches and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.851.

Read Also: Tilak Varma Consoled After Shock Retirement Call from Mahela Jayawardene

"Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!"