Captain No More, But Still In Control? Dhoni’s Influence on CSK Under Fire

Concerns Grow as Team Composition and Leadership Choices Come Under Scrutiny in IPL 2025

MS Dhoni’s legacy with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is nothing short of legendary. From leading the franchise to five IPL titles, to building one of the most consistent teams in T20 cricket history, Dhoni’s contribution is unquestionable. But in IPL 2025, serious questions are being raised about whether Dhoni’s prolonged influence on CSK is now working against the franchise’s present and future interests.

Despite stepping down as captain earlier this season, Dhoni has remained central to CSK’s decision-making, retaining his spot in the playing XI and allegedly playing a significant role in the selection of players. However, the franchise’s current form—and the performance of key players—suggest that CSK may be stuck between honoring a legend and building a competitive squad.

---

❓ Mediocre Recruitment or Strategic Misses?

CSK’s 2025 squad features several players who, while promising, lack the credentials of match-winners or game-finishers. The batting unit, once known for its intimidating depth and firepower, now looks fragile beyond the top order. Not one of the middle-order batters has a proven track record of carrying an innings under pressure or consistently anchoring a chase.

Critics argue that several selections appear to be “Dhoni-type picks”—players who fit into his template of calm temperament and silent execution, but not necessarily those who reflect the evolving pace and aggression of modern-day T20 cricket.

As one analyst put it:

“This isn’t a squad built for today’s IPL. It’s built for Dhoni’s comfort zone—low-risk players, reliable but not explosive. That strategy worked in 2011, but not in 2025.”

---

🧢 The Ruturaj Gaikwad Conundrum

The appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain came as a surprise to many, including fans and commentators. The 27-year-old, known for his elegant batting, was just finding his rhythm as an opener. But the added burden of captaincy seems to have taken a toll on his form.

Ruturaj’s strike rate has dropped, and he has appeared tentative at the crease—a stark contrast from his fluent performances in past seasons. While the decision to groom young leadership is commendable, critics believe the timing was premature.

“You give the captaincy when a player is peaking, not when he’s still stabilizing. Ruturaj needed to cement his place as a dominant opener first,” said a former CSK player under anonymity.

---

🧓 Dhoni’s Place in the XI – Sentiment Over Strategy?

MS Dhoni has been batting at No. 8 or 9 in recent games, often coming in only for the final few balls. While his finishing ability is still revered, it’s worth questioning whether occupying a slot in the playing XI for 6–8 balls per match is strategically sound—especially when several young wicketkeeper-batters across India are warming the bench.

Furthermore, with no clear successor being groomed behind the stumps, the franchise appears to be betting on Dhoni’s presence more than performance. His fan following ensures CSK’s brand equity remains sky-high—but is that a good enough reason to delay transition?

---

🏏 Royalty Towards Dhoni, or Loyalty to the Franchise?

One of the emerging criticisms from former cricketers and insiders is that CSK’s current roster seems to exhibit more loyalty to MS Dhoni than to the franchise’s broader mission of success.

This “Dhoni-centric aura” may be impacting team accountability and creating an atmosphere where certain decisions go unchallenged. It’s worth noting that CSK remains one of the costliest teams in terms of player salaries, with crores spent on players who are either underperforming or under-utilized.

The worry for fans and stakeholders alike is that the franchise may be prioritizing legacy over long-term vision—something other successful franchises like Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals are addressing head-on by trusting fresh leadership and data-driven decisions.

---

🧠 The Big Question: Time for the Franchise to Reclaim Control?

CSK is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic IPL franchises. But in a tournament where even one bad season can dent momentum and valuation, questions must be asked:

• Is it time for the management to gently nudge Dhoni into a mentor-only role?
• Should selection decisions be handed over to a modern cricketing director or data-driven team analyst?
• And most importantly, can CSK afford another transition phase post-Dhoni, when it could start preparing today?

With playoff hopes dimming and the team struggling to find rhythm, the pressure is mounting—not just on Gaikwad, but also on Dhoni, whose decisions still shape the franchise’s destiny.

---

📌 Conclusion

MS Dhoni’s contributions to CSK are etched in gold. But cricket, like any sport, is about evolving. As CSK fans celebrate the man who built the team, they also deserve to ask:
“Is this team still playing for the present, or just preserving the past?”