Since IPL 2023, Dhoni has 265 runs at a strike rate of 203.84 in 23 innings.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore ahead of the IPL auction 2025. It was a pragmatic move by the team management as Dhoni might not continue for the entire season.
However, his role has been a major topic of conversation in recent seasons. His experience is diminishing and Dhoni no longer contributes as much as he should.
Still, he has a lot to offer, especially as a sharp thinker, as he provides valuable inputs to Ruturaj Gaikwad and maintains wickets. His contribution as a batsman has been minimal but impactful.
How much has MS Dhoni batted in the last two seasons?
Since IPL 2023, Dhoni has 265 runs at a strike rate of 203.84 in 23 innings. His balls-to-six ratio of 5.65 shows that he has an impact almost every time.
However, on average, he faces 5.65 deliveries per innings, which is not ideal for a non-bowling specialist batsman. CSK delay their entry point as much as possible and are ready to change too many batting positions to accommodate it in the death overs.
60.86% of his innings came at number 7 or below, and Dhoni has batted in the top six just nine times since 2023. Even those top-six innings came when other top-order batsmen batted deep and were only made a few deliveries. left.
Perhaps his decreasing experience is a reason behind his minimal usage, but he has been playing primarily as a goalkeeper as he doesn’t face too many balls. He also does not play as an impact player and remains in the main eleven in all games.
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Why MS Dhoni should be in the top six in IPL 2025?
Now that MS Dhoni has decided to continue playing for CSK, he should bat higher up the order and face more deliveries than in the previous two editions. Play on a team that has several consistent top-notch hitters who will get the job done more often than not.
Therefore, Dhoni can occupy the number 6 spot and face more balls as he still has enough power against pace. As of 2023, he has a strike rate of 217.30 and a balls-to-boundary ratio of 2.97 against fast bowlers.
Most decks have been flat and shot-friendly in the league, so that won’t be a problem. If the team delays their entry point, they will not be able to get the most out of Dhoni.
He should be demoted only when the top five have lost their wickets too early and someone needs to anchor the innings. That may not be possible for Dhoni at this age, but otherwise, he should contribute as much as possible with the willow.
MS Dhoni promotion is also a must for CSK in IPL 2025
If we look at CSK’s lower order batsmen for the upcoming season, they have MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for the finishing touch. Jadeja’s hitting skills have diminished significantly and now that he has retired from T20Is, those hitting gears will be reduced further.
Meanwhile, Sam Curran isn’t really a power hitter. While he can play some big shots, Curran has his issues with fast pace and can be easily contained.
That means MS Dhoni needs to do the heavy lifting in the lower order and face as many balls as possible. He must get ahead of these two batsmen and bat in the top six to do so.
Therefore, CSK might also be tempted to use him more than in the previous two seasons. He should be promoted in IPL 2025 and given more playing time in the middle which will eventually help his team.
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