MS Dhoni’s and Chennai Super Kings‘ IPL 2025 journey has come to an end. The five-time champions, once considered the epitome of consistency in the IPL, have faced a rough patch in the last two years. While they have secured the title twice since 2021, qualifying for the playoffs has often been a struggle for the Men in Yellow. They finished last in the standings for the first time. With only four wins from 14 matches, the team failed across departments.

Even Dhoni’s return to the captaincy following Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s injury was not fruitful.

His age and the problematic knees hindered his impact. Dhoni hasn’t been able to play match-winning innings. CSK ended their season on a positive note, with a commanding win against Gujarat Titans.

After the match, cricket experts Suresh Raina and Aakash Chopra engaged in a passionate debate, offering differing views on Dhoni’s role and contribution. RP Singh, a close friend of Dhoni, also shared his perspective, though he ultimately aligned with one of the opinions.

Aakash Chopra: Had MS Dhoni not been an uncapped Indian player, would he have been included in CSK’s squad this year?

Suresh Raina: Without a doubt. He has been with the team for 18 years, and even now, he hits the most sixes.

Aakash Chopra: But why is he batting at No. 7, 8, or even No. 9? The team’s issues lie with the top order, so shouldn’t such a key player bat higher up? Is he fit enough, or is there some reluctance to make him bat higher?

Suresh Raina: He feels more at ease in the final four overs. He’s fit, even at 44, and is still keeping wickets. In an interview, he mentioned he wants to give others, like Shivam Dube, a chance while the team focuses on the T20 World Cup preparations.

RP Singh: After a knee surgery, it’s normal for a player to take time to regain his full fitness. This happens to every player. He has been keeping wickets for 20 years and knows how to manage his body. Raina, too, had a knee operation, and after some time, he was able to recover.