“What Dhoni is doing is extraordinary” – those words echoed again as MS Dhoni’s tactical brilliance brought an end to Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) five-match losing streak in IPL 2025. In a crucial match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Dhoni’s smart bowling changes and fearless captaincy led CSK to a five-wicket victory, offering hope in what’s been a tough season so far.
Despite still being at the bottom of the points table, CSK showed glimpses of the old fighting spirit, and a lot of credit goes to Dhoni’s on-field decisions. The team made bold calls by dropping senior players Devon Conway and R Ashwin. In their place, 24-year-old Anshul Kamboj and left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed stepped up, bowling three overs each during the powerplay, and restricting LSG to just 42 runs for two wickets in the first six overs — including the crucial wicket of Nicholas Pooran for just 8 runs.
“We made a few changes because we wanted to make sure our first six overs are slightly better,” Dhoni explained at the post-match presentation. “We were actually putting too much pressure on Ashwin. He bowled two overs on wickets that weren’t offering much, and the batsmen were just attacking him.”
Dhoni praised the current bowling setup, emphasizing its flexibility. With Noor Ahmad available to chip in with an over if any pacer goes expensive, he felt the attack gave him more control and variety.
“This looks like a better attack — there’s more manoeuvrability for the captain,” Dhoni said. “As a bowling unit, we’ve done well. As a batting unit, I think we can still do better.”
Batting-wise, CSK saw a positive change too. Their new opening pair — Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra — gave them a flying start with a 52-run stand in just 29 balls, helping them chase down LSG’s total of 166 with relative ease. Rishabh Pant, captain of LSG, admitted they were “10-15 runs short.”
In CSK’s previous game against KKR, they had collapsed to 103 for 9 — and Dhoni had then pointed out that their team was unlikely to post 60+ in the powerplay with their existing approach. But against LSG, they came close — scoring 59 for 1 — a key reason for their successful chase.
Dhoni also highlighted how pitch conditions have played a role in their poor starts, especially at their home ground.
“The Chennai wicket has been slightly on the slower side. Out of the first six games, we’ve played four at home. The starts have been better when we’ve played outside,” he said. He stressed the importance of playing on better batting surfaces to encourage more expressive and confident stroke-play.
“You don’t want to play timid cricket,” Dhoni added. “But you also need to know your release shot, back yourself and go for it. Don’t choose the wrong shot for the wicket. It’s about expressing yourself but also playing smart.”
For CSK fans, this match was more than just a win — it was a glimpse of hope, and a reminder that with Dhoni at the helm, there’s always a plan, a spark, and a chance for a comeback.
Also Read : Axar Patel Fined for DC’s Slow Over Rate Against MI
