In the aftermath of a narrow 6-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming shed light on the strategic decision to have MS Dhoni bat at No. 9. The match, held on a gripping Sunday, saw Dhoni, who has been positioned between No. 7 and No. 9 throughout the season, come in at No. 7.
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Addressing the media in the post-match press conference, Fleming elucidated that Dhoni’s placement in the batting order is a calculated move to manage his physical condition, particularly his knees, while still leveraging his invaluable leadership and wicketkeeping skills. ‘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,’ Fleming explained.
The CSK coach further detailed that the team prefers Dhoni to come to the crease from the 13th or 14th over, depending on the match’s flow. ‘I said it last year [as well], he’s too valuable to us – leadership and wicket-keeping – to throw him in nine, ten overs. He has actually never done that. So, look, from around 13-14 overs, he’s looking to go depending on who’s in,’ Fleming stated.
Despite Dhoni’s ability to deliver quick-fire knocks this season, his role as a leader and wicketkeeper remains paramount for CSK in IPL 2025, overshadowing his contributions with the bat.