Dhoni runs out of inspiration as CSK sinks

It was at least five overs too soon for M S Dhoni to walk out to bat in the 13^th over of the Chennai Super Kings match against Rajasthan Royals. The venue was not the M A Chidambaram stadium but Delhi is not lacking in Dhoni supporters. And since Delhi Capitals were not playing, there was no conflict of loyalties. The undercurrent was muted but evident nonetheless. With his team at 137/6, would Dhoni display the spark that has lit up a glittering career and take CSK to a score to reckon against RR?

Seven overs can be a long time in a T 20 game. Criticised for dropping himself too far down the order, the 16 runs Dhoni scored in 17 balls with one six showed why he has looked to the CSK top and middle order to do the job and to do the finisher’s task – if absolutely necessary — by boosting the total or polishing off the final runs in a chase. It was painfully evident to spectators at the Arun Jaitley stadium that Dhoni was struggling and his 28 minutes at the crease were underwhelming.

The crowd waited for the flourish and it was not that Dhoni did not try. With two balls to go in the 19^th over, he turned down a run and squared up to face Akash Madhwal. He had figured out what he would do and the execution was perfect. Dhoni moved his front foot towards the off stump and connected a scoop over his shoulder. The ball should have stopped only after crossing the fine leg boundary. Instead, Tushar Deshpande took a splendid reflex catch. The Dhoni storm failed to materialise.

As he walked back, the look in Dhoni’s eyes was revealing. Any other day it would be a fail safe shot. But if things are not going your way, they simply don’t. Earlier, the CSK icon cannily appealed a ball not given wide but which the referral video detected to be millimetres outside the marker. The DRS (Dhoni Review System), said a television commentator, is still working. Indeed, Dhoni’s calls behind the stumps continue to be astonishingly accurate. The mind is ticking as the shot selection showed, but Dhoni left it too late in the day. Not long ago, he would have pulled off such shots every time. Not so much now.

To be fair, CSK’s poor run has been further impacted by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury. It was a hard blow as though CSK were already struggling after winning their first match against Mumbai Indians, Gaikwad had scored 122 runs at a strike rate of 150 in five matches. Yet, after the Operation Sindoor break, CSK had the services of foreign players like Devon Conway, Dewald Brevis and Noor Ahmad. Against RR, Brevis’ quickfire 42 was an important reason why CSK reached 187. But there was no finish as Dube looked lacklustre and Dhoni cut a forlorn figure.

Dhoni’s “captain cool” moniker is well earned. When he is keeping you can almost hear his mind whirl and click. He is fiercely concentrated and it is evident he is mapping options constantly. Even when Gaikwad was on the field, there was little doubt that the centre of gravity lay behind the stumps. Slightly pursed lips and a sharp gaze are the only hints of disapproval and a smile rather than high fives signal approval. But mostly, Dhoni’s thoughts are racing onwards, assessing the opposition and planning counter moves.

But as CSK sank to the bottom of IPL 2025 table, Dhoni has shown signs of wear and tear. His usually unflappable persona has betrayed stress, a hunted look giving away his disquiet. Dhoni is too good a cricketer not to know that miracles are not the norm. Yet, an incredible self-belief and exceptional skills inspired team mates to outdo themselves and powered CSK to five IPL titles in 10 finals. Delhi’s Arun Jaitley stadium has short boundaries, but Dhoni would have found the walk back interminable.

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