MS Dhoni has been the subject of debate over the past week after Chennai Super Kings lost three consecutive games in their first four outings in the tournament. After the win against MI in their opening encounter, CSK lost games against RCB, RR and DC.
Two out of the three losses came with MS Dhoni remaining unbeaten at the crease and CSK unable to chase down targets. Dhoni's dip in form with the bat has started speculations regarding his IPL retirement.
The speculations gained weight after CSK's latest defeat against Delhi Capitals. Chennai needed over 100 runs from the last 10 overs when MS Dhoni walked out to bat. His lack of intent to score runs surprised the CSK fans, including several cricket experts as well.
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Questions have been hurled at him and the CSK management as to what was the reason behind MSD's failure with the bat. In the contest against Delhi Capitals, the 43-year-old Dhoni remained unbeaten on 30 runs off 26 balls. Three consecutive defeats have pushed CSK to the ninth position on the IPL 2025 points table.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Former Pakistan Skipper Slams MS Dhoni For CSK's Loss To DC, Stirs Retirement Talks
IPL More Than Just Cricket, Brand Dhoni Still Alive - Shreevats Goswami
Meanwhile, former Bengal and India U-19 cricketer Shreevats Goswami feels MS Dhoni still has a lot to offer and shouldn't retire from the IPL. Goswami advised Chennai Super Kings to try someone like Shivam Dube as a finisher and take pressure off MS Dhoni.
"Fan isn't ready to let go, but is Dhoni? My 2 cents on it. Honestly, I think it's way above our pay grade - as experts or ex-cricketers - to comment on or advise Dhoni about retirement. He already stepped away from international cricket in 2020. The IPL is more than just cricket. It's also entertainment, economics and big business for franchises," Goswami said on X (formerly Twitter).
"And let's be real, brand Dhoni is still very much alive. Fans adore him not just for his cricketing skills but for the leader he was and the deep connection he has with people. Is the team struggling just because of Dhoni's batting form? Not exactly, but maybe a little. CSK do seem to lack that finishing firepower, so maybe someone like Shivam Dube could be tried in that role," he added.
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Players Will Miss MS Dhoni More Than Fans- Shreevats Goswami
Goswami further said that the players will miss him more than the CSK fans if he retires from the league. MS Dhoni, along with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey, is one of the only four players to have played in every season of the IPL.
"The only time I got to speak to him was when Bengal played Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final. I clearly remember what he told me - Nobody has seen form. It's something within. Sometimes, you can fake that you're in form with your body language. And it just takes one hit from the middle of the bat to truly feel it again. That line stuck with me forever," said Goswami.
"That's why, even now, so many young cricketers walk up to him for advice after every match. Players will miss him more than the fans do. Bowlers still feel more confident with him behind the stumps. Let him stay - we still want him out there on the ground. Yes, the way CSK is playing might defy cricketing logic right now, but teams have bounced back before. CSK might too," he concluded saying.
MS Dhoni has batted at number seven or below in this edition of the tournament so far. Against RCB, he walked out to bat as low as number nine with Chennai losing the match by 50 runs. CSK lost to RR by six runs and to DC by 25 runs. They next take on Punjab Kings on April 8.
Also Read: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni Clears His Stance On Retirement From The IPL In Latest Podcast
