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Summary:
- MS Dhoni’s highly anticipated return as CSK’s captain ends in a heavy loss.
- CSK’s total of 103/9 is their lowest ever at home, and KKR chased it in just 10.1 overs.
- Former cricketer Navjot Sidhu humorously criticized the hype surrounding Dhoni’s return.
- Michael Clarke suggests CSK should take risks to turn their fortunes around.
News in Detail:
In what was one of the most eagerly awaited moments of IPL 2025, MS Dhoni made his return to captaincy for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after an absence of close to 700 days. This was triggered after Ruturaj Gaikwad, the designated captain, was ruled out due to an elbow injury. However, Dhoni’s much-anticipated return ended in disappointment as CSK suffered their biggest loss in terms of balls remaining in the IPL.
CSK could only manage to post 103/9 in their 20 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which marked their lowest-ever total at MA Chidambaram Stadium. KKR, in response, chased down the target effortlessly in just 10.1 overs, clinching an eight-wicket victory. The loss not only compounded CSK’s troubles but also extended their winless streak to five matches in a row in IPL 2025.
The much-hyped return of Dhoni, who was expected to bring his leadership prowess back to CSK, turned out to be an anticlimax. Dhoni, who has been synonymous with leadership and success for CSK, failed to deliver with the bat, scoring just 1 run off 4 balls. His performance on the field, however, was overshadowed by the performance of the team overall, which seemed to lack intent and confidence.
Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu did not hold back in his criticism. During the commentary, Sidhu quipped, “Arey Dhoni aa rahe hain ji jaise sher aaya, sher aaya, hype thi, badi excitement thi, par khoda pahaad nikli chuhiya,” referring to the massive hype surrounding Dhoni’s return, which ultimately resulted in a lackluster performance. He humorously pointed out that the hype had been built as if a “lion” was returning, but it turned out to be far less impactful.
Despite Dhoni’s return, CSK’s performance reflected a team struggling with confidence and lacking a clear direction. The pitch at MA Chidambaram was challenging, with early movement and some spin, but CSK’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. The team’s performance appeared conservative, with no real intent to play aggressively or set a challenging target.
Adding further analysis, Michael Clarke, former Australia captain, weighed in with his perspective on CSK’s situation. Clarke emphasized the need for a drastic change in CSK’s approach to reverse their fortunes. “At the moment, it seems like a very conservative approach – just trying to get close to winning or avoid a big defeat. Instead, they should throw it all on the line, risk everything, and try to win the game,” Clarke stated during his commentary on JioStar.
His advice was clear: CSK needs to take risks, especially in this critical phase of the season. It’s crucial for the team to break free from the losing mindset and approach games with aggression and intent, similar to how a winning mentality spreads through a team. However, as Clarke noted, shifting the team’s mindset and breaking the cycle of losses isn’t always an easy task.
This loss not only highlighted CSK’s batting struggles but also raised questions about their leadership and overall approach. With Dhoni at the helm, many had expected a different outcome, especially considering his history of guiding CSK to multiple IPL titles. However, the match ended up serving as a harsh reminder that even the most experienced leaders can’t guarantee success when the team isn’t firing on all cylinders.
As IPL 2025 progresses, CSK finds themselves rooted in ninth place on the points table, with a lot of work to do if they are to recover and challenge for a playoff spot.