Chennai Super Kings are enduring their worst season in IPL history. With just two games to go, the former five-time champions are languishing at the bottom of the table and staring at a wooden spoon finish for the first time. Injuries to key players like captain Ruturaj Gaikwad played a part, but the return of MS Dhoni as stand-in captain has not sparked the turnaround fans had hoped for. Since taking over after the fifth match, Dhoni has led CSK in seven games and managed to win only two. While his legacy is unparalleled, there is no escaping the fact that MS Dhoni has played a central role in CSK’s downfall this season. Here are five major reasons why.
1. Age is Catching Up
At 43, Dhoni is no longer the sprightly presence behind the stumps or with the bat that he once was. His reflexes are visibly slower, and his keeping, once considered flawless, has begun to show signs of decline. He has missed crucial stumpings and dropped regulation catches at key moments, which have proved costly in tight games. With the bat, he has insisted on playing extremely low in the batting order, sometimes coming in after number seven. This approach has limited his impact and put undue pressure on inexperienced players to close out games. While he did pull off a vintage finish against LSG, such moments have been too few and far between. More often than not, he has left the team needing miracles in the final over and failed to deliver.
2. Auction Decisions That Backfired
While Dhoni may not hold an official position in CSK’s auction table, it is no secret that his influence runs deep in the franchise. Over the years, he has had a significant say in player retention and recruitment. The 2025 auction decisions reflected a lack of foresight and overreliance on past reputation. CSK brought in players like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar, all of whom have struggled in recent seasons and offered little to suggest a turnaround was imminent. None of them lived up to expectations and have delivered a series of poor performances. This influx of aging or out of form Indian players has crippled CSK’s middle order. The failure to scout and invest in new domestic talent falls at the feet of the decision-making core, which undoubtedly includes Dhoni.
3. Poor On-Field Tactical Calls
Dhoni’s rigid adherence to a template he crafted during his glory days has turned into a liability. Modern T20 cricket demands adaptability and proactive decision-making. Unfortunately, Dhoni’s strategies have often been reactive and outdated. One glaring example is the timing of bringing on Matheesha Pathirana. Despite Pathirana being CSK’s most threatening bowler, Dhoni persisted in introducing him only after the twelfth over in most matches. In a rare change of plan, he was brought on in the tenth over recently and struck immediately. That move begged the question of why the strategy had not been adjusted earlier. Dhoni’s hesitation to let spinners complete their quota when they were bowling well and his insistence on holding back his best bowlers for the final overs regardless of match situation have contributed to CSK letting games slip away.
4. Questionable Team Selection
If there has been one baffling aspect of CSK’s season, it has been their team selection. Dhoni’s preference for familiar names over form and potential has resulted in several underwhelming lineups. One of the most perplexing decisions was the consistent exclusion of Nathan Ellis. The BBL winning captain was overlooked despite his recent heroics and form. Instead, CSK opted for other overseas players who did not contribute meaningfully. Even more puzzling was the persistence with at least one of Tripathi, Hooda, or Shankar in every single match despite repeated failures. Youngsters like Bedi, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and Siddharth sat on the bench while the playing eleven was filled with non-performing seniors. This lack of trust in emerging talent reflects poorly on the team’s vision and is a major reason for their lack of spark and energy on the field.
5. His Own Batting Form Has Cost CSK Matches
For all the legendary finishes and his aura in the death overs, Dhoni’s personal form with the bat has been far from ideal. While he managed to win a tight contest against LSG, that innings remains an exception rather than the norm. In three separate matches, Dhoni had the opportunity to take CSK home and failed. Against the Rajasthan Royals, CSK needed 19 from the final over, and Dhoni could not get it done. Against RCB, the equation was 16 off 6, and once again, he failed to finish. In the match against Punjab Kings, Dhoni hit a six and then perished on the next ball to Yuzvendra Chahal. That over ended up being a game changer as Chahal picked up four wickets and derailed CSK’s innings. CSK finished with 190 when they should have pushed beyond 205, given the weakened bowling attack and fielding restrictions. Dhoni’s inability to close out these moments has had a direct impact on at least three losses.
MS Dhoni’s contribution to the rise of Chennai Super Kings in IPL history is undisputed. He has been their captain, mentor, finisher, and guardian angel for more than a decade. But the 2025 season has laid bare the fact that even legends have their limits. Age has slowed him down. Influence over team decisions has turned into a crutch. Stubbornness in strategy has become a flaw. And most importantly, his individual performances have not backed up his continued presence in the playing eleven. CSK are facing a harsh reality, and unless they take bold steps in the post-Dhoni era, they risk slipping into a prolonged slump. For now, their greatest strength over the years has unfortunately become a part of their downfall.