Why MS Dhoni Faces the Heat for CSK’s Losses: A Soft Target for IPL Trolls
The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League has not been kind to Chennai Super Kings. Once the epitome of consistency and dominance, the five-time champions now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the points table. With just one win in their first five matches - against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians - CSK’s campaign has taken a sharp downward spiral. And amid this slump, there's one name that has once again become the internet’s favorite scapegoat: MS Dhoni.
CSK's Chase Woes Continue
What’s fueling the criticism? Primarily, it’s CSK’s consistent failure while chasing. All five games so far have seen the Men in Yellow chasing a target, and only once have they managed to seal the deal. The top-order, featuring names like Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shivam Dube, has been inconsistent at best. Despite reshuffling their batting order, CSK hasn't found the right formula - putting pressure on the lower-order batters to rescue games.
Punjab Kings Clash Highlights the Real Issues
Their latest defeat came against Punjab Kings, where CSK was tasked with chasing a mammoth 220. This daunting total was made worse by Priyansh Arya’s sensational maiden IPL century. In response, CSK fell just short, managing 201. A silver lining? MS Dhoni promoted himself to No. 5 and brought life to the chase with a fiery 27 off just 12 balls. His cameo, featuring two massive sixes off Lockie Ferguson, briefly reignited hope among the fans. But despite the effort, the criticism didn’t die down.
The Dhoni Dilemma
At 43, Dhoni remains a rare blend of legacy and longevity. Yet, despite his limited appearances at the crease, trolls are quick to question his place in the team. The irony? Even when Dhoni contributes positively, his past is used against him - most notably, the 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand continues to haunt him. His loyalty is questioned, and his finishing abilities are unfairly compared across vastly different contexts.
Let the numbers speak for themselves: 103 runs in five innings, an average of 51.50, and a strike rate north of 153. Clearly, Dhoni isn’t the problem.
Backlash to the Backlash
While the criticism has been loud, so has the support. Loyal fans and cricket enthusiasts have come forward to defend Dhoni’s presence in the squad. Many argue that accountability should start with CSK’s top order and extend to their sloppy fielding - not the man who’s still delivering with the bat.
One user on X made a compelling point:
“enough jokes and all we made about dhoni retirement or uncapped player etc. but the fact of the matter is as long as the franchises are okay with senior players being part of the team and players are fit enough to play, nobody should be questioning them... what csk needs to fix is everything but dhoni (sic)”
Another added:
“This is Dhoni’s limit at this age. You can’t expect anything more from him at this stage of his career. Fans should lower their expectations and his teammates need to contribute more. He can win you games from 40 needed of 18 balls, but not 60 off 18 balls. The responsibility of getting to the stage of 40 off 18 remains with the top 4-5 batters."
Bigger Questions, Fewer Answers
So, why is Dhoni the one always in the line of fire? Perhaps because he’s still Dhoni - a symbol of excellence and expectation. But it's also clear: CSK’s problems run deeper than one man. The team’s inability to capitalize on starts, poor fielding, and lack of a settled lineup are the real culprits.
As the season progresses, CSK must introspect. And maybe, it’s time for fans and critics alike to look beyond the legend and focus on the team’s collective performance. After all, cricket is a team sport - and one man, even if he's MS Dhoni, can't always carry the weight alone.