MS Dhoni came in to bat at the No. 7position for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during their recent match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), which they lost by just 6 runs. In IPL 2025, we’ve seen Dhoni take on spots lower in the order, anywhere from No. 7 to No. 9. Fans have noticed he’s been batting further down and can’t help but wonder why CSK isn’t giving him a chance to bat earlier, where his explosive style could really help the team. After the close defeat, CSK’s coach, Stephen Fleming, addressed this curiosity and laid it all out for everyone.
When Fleming was asked about why Dhoni’s batting position has been a hot topic, he mentioned that Dhoni’s knees aren’t what they used to be. With this in mind, it’s tricky for him to be out there batting for 10 to 12 overs since he’s also behind the stumps as the wicket-keeper. Yeah, it’s a time thing, Fleming explained at the press conference after the match. He pointed out that Dhoni is aware of his limits. He can move around fairly well, but there’s a reality he has to face about his body. He can’t run at full speed for those long stretches anymore, so he makes a judgment call on what he can contribute each game. If the match is neck-and-neck, like it was against the Royals, he’ll opt to come in a bit earlier, but he also trusts his teammates to step up when needed. So, he’s really just trying to find that balance.
Fleming added that the best time for Dhoni to come into bat is usually around the 13th or 14th over, depending on how things are going. “I mentioned it last year too – he’s crucial for us in terms of leadership and wicket-keeping, so we shouldn’t put him in a position where he has to bat with only a few overs left,” he emphasized. Dhoni’s never really batted in the final few overs like that, and it just goes to show how valuable he is for CSK in those other roles.
From what Fleming said, it’s really clear that the team values Dhoni’s capability as a leader and keeper a lot more in this IPL season than just his batting. They’re making strategic decisions to make the best use of his talents, and it all seems to come down to keeping him fresh and in a position to help the team in the best way possible.
