Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) confronted a disappointing defeat towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) of their latest IPL 2025 match, dropping by 50 runs. A big level of rivalry was the choice to have veteran MS Dhoni bat at No. 9, a transfer that sparked widespread criticism and confusion amongst followers and cricket consultants.
Through the match held at MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK had been chasing a frightening goal of 197 runs however struggled early, dropping three wickets within the powerplay. Regardless of the dire state of affairs, Dhoni didn’t come out to bat till the sixteenth over, after the autumn of Ravichandran Ashwin’s wicket. By this time, CSK’s possibilities of victory had been slim, and Dhoni’s late cameo (30 not out) off 16 balls was deemed ineffective.
Cricket consultants react on Dhoni batting at 9
Dhoni’s unusually low batting place at No. 9 has drawn criticism from former cricketers and commentators.
Irfan Pathan was agency in his stance, stating he would by no means assist Dhoni batting so deep within the order.
I’ll by no means be in favour of Dhoni batting at quantity 9. Not ideally suited for crew.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 28, 2025
Robin Uthappa questioned the technique, arguing that it didn’t make sense and declaring the missed alternative to enhance the crew’s internet run price.
Uthappa even instructed that if Dhoni had batted earlier, he might need lowered the margin of defeat and minimized the online run-rate impression.
Essential win for RCB. A win on the fortress in Chepauk might be an enormous increase of their marketing campaign this 12 months. Dhoni coming at quantity 9 dint make sense in any respect. Him coming earlier might have helped CSK’s NRR of their marketing campaign this 12 months.
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) March 28, 2025
Harsha Bhogle additionally appeared perplexed by the CSK crew administration’s determination to ship Dhoni after the autumn of the eighth wicket.
Dhoni at no 9 🤔?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2025
Additionally READ: IPL 2025 – Followers go wild as RCB humbles CSK to breach fortress Chepauk after 17 years
In the meantime, former India batter Virender Sehwag playfully teased Dhoni throughout a dialogue on Cricbuzz, joking that the CSK legend had come out to bat sooner than standard, as he usually prefers the ultimate two overs.
“Jaldi aa gaye na” (He got here out to bat early), quipped Sehwag, sparking laughter among the many panel.
Ex-India cricketer Manoj Tiwary, additionally a part of the dialogue, chimed in, saying, “We had been joking that perhaps he would stroll in at No. 10.”
Sehwag additional added, “When he got here in, 16 overs had been bowled. Normally, he arrives within the nineteenth or twentieth over, so technically, he was early. Both he got here out to bat early, or his batters misplaced wickets too rapidly.”
Nah that is so embarrassing😭😭 pic.twitter.com/0uShSG5N6S
— Suprvirat (@ishantraj51) March 28, 2025
Additionally WATCH: Khaleel Ahmed and Virat Kohli have interaction in an intense stare-down contest throughout CSK vs RCB 2025 IPL match
