The batting stance of the legendary MS Dhoni during the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has generated a lot of discussion. The wicketkeeper-batter for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been batting at a lower position. Head coach Stephen Fleming answered this query during CSK’s six-run defeat to the Rajasthan Royals (RR), ending any conjecture over Dhoni’s starting position.
Dhoni has made brief appearances while batting at positions ranging from No. 7 to No. 9 in the current season. Many have questioned why CSK didn’t put him in sooner since he is still hitting the ball brilliantly. In an attempt to witness their hero in action, fans have even begun to shout for CSK to get wickets so that Dhoni can bat.
Fleming clarified after the RR game, nevertheless, that MS Dhoni’s batting position was a result of physical limitations. According to the coach, Dhoni’s body has changed, particularly his knees. The 43-year-old batsman-wicketkeeper is taking great care of his health and cannot afford to run for extended periods of time at maximum effort.
“Yeah, it’s a time thing. MS judges it. His body is; his knees aren’t what they used to be. And he’s moving okay, but there’s still an attrition aspect to it. He can’t bat 10 overs running full-stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game’s in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he’s balancing that.”
Stephen Fleming
The former captain of New Zealand underlined that it would be impossible to move MS Dhoni up the order needlessly because of how important his leadership and wicketkeeping are to CSK.
“I said it last year [as well], he’s too valuable to us—leadership and wicketkeeping—to throw him in for nine or ten overs. He has never done that. So, look, from around 13-14 overs, he’s looking to go, depending on who’s in.”
Stephen Fleming
CSK yet to win a game in IPL 2025 season
Having dropped two of their last three games, the five-time winners are currently in a difficult position. The Chennai-based team, which is currently eighth in the standings, needs to figure out how to start winning again.
