IPL 2025: Why isn’t MS Dhoni batting up the order? CSK coach Stephen Fleming reveals reason

With consecutive losses in their first two matches of the IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings have not had the start they wanted in the tournament so far. They were thrashed by 50 runs in the opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home – a first in 17 years. Last night, the Chennai franchise were outplayed by Rajasthan Royals by six runs in Guwahati.

Nitish Rana smashed a blistering 36-ball 81, while leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took a four-wicket haul as RR edged CSK. Though Chennai restricted the Royals to par-score of 182 for 9, they failed to chase it down, managing 176 for six in 20 overs.

While CSK are capable of bouncing back, with the team they have, what has left the fans frustrated is their iconic player Mahendra Singh Dhoni coming out to bat lower in the order. Against the RCB, he came out to bat at no. 9, leaving the fans shell-shocked. Though he scored an unbeaten 16-ball 30, much of his runs came in the last over when the match was all but lost. And against the RR, he walked out at no. 7 with the CSK needing 54 off 25 balls. But he could manage just 16 runs off 11 balls.

Not just the fans, but former cricketers such as Virender Sehwag and Manoj Tiwary had questioned why the former Indian skipper was not coming out to bat earlier and try and win the game.

Last season, too, Dhoni had often batted down the order, leaving fans confused and frustrated, especially when the team was in dire straits.

‘Dhoni can't bat ten overs running full stick’

Amid the criticism, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming addressed the matter at the press conference after the RR-CSK match. He said that Dhoni’s knees are not in a condition to let him bat for 10 overs in full steam, and so the 43-year-old himself decides his batting position depending on the match situation.

"It's a time thing. MS judges it. His body, his knees aren't what they used to be. He's moving okay but there's still a nutrition aspect to it. He can't bat 10 overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us," Fleming said.

"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. I said it last year, he's too valuable to us, (with his) leadership and wicket-keeping, to throw him in at 9- 10 overs. He's actually never done that. So look, from around 13, 14 overs he's looking to go, depending on who's in."

With Dhoni’s fitness and form failing him, it remains to be seen how long will the CSK persist with the veteran, especially if they fail to arrest their losing streak in the next couple of matches, or whether they make use of the Impact Player rule to use him effectively.