Once hailed as Indian cricket’s ultimate ‘finisher’, MS Dhoni is under increasing pressure in IPL 2025 after failing to make an impact with the bat for the third consecutive match. Chennai Super Kings , the five-time IPL champions, began their season with a narrow win over Mumbai Indians but have since stumbled with three back-to-back losses while chasing — against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals — leaving them at ninth place on the points table.
Although Dhoni continues to be sharp behind the stumps, his strike rate has seen a significant dip — down to 138.18 from a remarkable 220.55 in the previous season. His inability to find boundaries consistently has been a cause of concern, especially in high-pressure chases.
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Speaking to IANS, former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif didn’t hold back in his assessment, suggesting Dhoni should have stepped away from the game some time ago.
“He should have left a long while back, a wicket-keeper's age is usually 35, I am an example of this. If I was on TV then I am a performer and when I don’t do it at a high level then my reputation will come down. Even if you have done it for 15 years, the younger generations will not be impressed,” Latif said.
He further questioned CSK ’s decision to persist with Dhoni, saying: “His playing did not benefit his team in 2019 (ODI World Cup) as well, they should have understood then. If you are choosing the team over one player then it is unfair to the game which is why they are getting trolled.
“I saw 2-3 games and the crowd gets very loud but CSK need points right now, they are at the bottom of the table and if the reason is only one or two players then you should realise the need of the hour.”
Amid swirling speculation over Dhoni’s potential retirement, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming declined to weigh in after the team’s loss to Delhi.
“No, that's not my role to put an end to it. I have no idea. I'm just enjoying working with him still. He's still going strong. I don't even ask these days. You are the ones who ask,” Fleming said in the post-match press conference.
Although Dhoni continues to be sharp behind the stumps, his strike rate has seen a significant dip — down to 138.18 from a remarkable 220.55 in the previous season. His inability to find boundaries consistently has been a cause of concern, especially in high-pressure chases.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Speaking to IANS, former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif didn’t hold back in his assessment, suggesting Dhoni should have stepped away from the game some time ago.
“He should have left a long while back, a wicket-keeper's age is usually 35, I am an example of this. If I was on TV then I am a performer and when I don’t do it at a high level then my reputation will come down. Even if you have done it for 15 years, the younger generations will not be impressed,” Latif said.
He further questioned CSK ’s decision to persist with Dhoni, saying: “His playing did not benefit his team in 2019 (ODI World Cup) as well, they should have understood then. If you are choosing the team over one player then it is unfair to the game which is why they are getting trolled.
“I saw 2-3 games and the crowd gets very loud but CSK need points right now, they are at the bottom of the table and if the reason is only one or two players then you should realise the need of the hour.”
Amid swirling speculation over Dhoni’s potential retirement, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming declined to weigh in after the team’s loss to Delhi.
“No, that's not my role to put an end to it. I have no idea. I'm just enjoying working with him still. He's still going strong. I don't even ask these days. You are the ones who ask,” Fleming said in the post-match press conference.
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