MS Dhoni’s decision to bat at No.9 during Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) chase of 197 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 8 of IPL 2025 left fans puzzled. Many questioned why a player of Dhoni’s caliber came so late in the order, especially when the game was slipping away. However, the CSK legend later clarified his stance in an interview with JioHotstar, stating that this approach is intentional and unlikely to change anytime soon.
Ahead of the 18th edition of the IPL, Dhoni had already addressed this topic in an interview. He explained that in the previous season, he prioritized giving Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja more opportunities to bat higher, as they were in contention for the T20 World Cup squad. Dhoni also emphasized that the batters above him were fulfilling their roles effectively, ensuring the team’s balance remained intact.
During the match against RCB, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin all batted before Dhoni. He finally came to the crease after Ashwin’s dismissal and played a quick cameo, remaining unbeaten on 30 off 16 balls, which included two sixes in the final over off Krunal Pandya.
Similarly, in CSK’s opening match of IPL 2025, Dhoni batted at No.8 when the game was already sealed, with the team needing just four runs to win.
Addressing his batting position, Dhoni said, “Last year, my knee issue was manageable, but another important factor was the T20 World Cup selection. Players like Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) and Shivam Dube were strong contenders, so I wanted to give them more chances. I’m not competing for a spot, so my priority was to support their selection.”
With this strategic approach, Dhoni continues to focus on the team’s success while ensuring young talents get the opportunities they need.
