This attack gives more manoeuvrability for the captain: MS Dhoni

MS-Dhoni. (Photo source: X)

After five consecutive losses in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) desperately needed a spark, and legendary skipper MS Dhoni delivered it, not just with the bat and glove work behind the stumps but with some sharp decisions. CSK’s five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wasn’t just about ending the losing streak, it was about a change in mindset and strategy. 

In the match at the Ekana Stadium, CSK was struggling at the bottom of the table, having lost five games on the trot. Previous defeats came due to poor starts in the powerplay, both with the bat and ball. That prompted and the management to make some big decisions.

Dhoni opted to leave out senior players Devon Conway and Ravi Ashwin in favour of younger players. Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed were handed crucial roles in the powerplay, and the change worked. LSG were restricted to just 42 runs in the first six overs, with both bowlers picking up a wicket each, including the crucial scalp of Nicholas Pooran. 

"We made a few changes because we wanted to make sure our first six overs are slightly better because we need more bowlers in the first six. We were actually putting too much pressure on Ash, he has bowled two overs on wickets that were not doing a lot and the batsmen were just expressing themselves. We made a few changes where we could have more bowlers who could bowl in the first six and, if needed - if the fast bowlers, somebody goes for runs - we have Noor [Ahmad], who can drop in with one over. I feel this looks like a better attack, there's more manoeuvrability for the captain. I feel, as a bowling unit we have done well. As a batting unit, I think we can do even better," he said in the post-match presentation.

Don't pick an option that is not good for that wicket: MS Dhoni

In the middle overs, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad executed their skills brilliantly which stopped LSG’s momentum. Jadeja picked the big wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Ayush Badoni, while Noor conceded just 13 runs in his four overs.

With the bat, they looked different as debutant Shaik Rasheed hit six boundaries in the powerplay, helping CSK to 59/1 in the first six overs, nearly matching the 60+ starts Dhoni had said the team lacked. The chase struggled in the middle, but Shivam Dube and Dhoni entered with 56 needed off 30 balls. Dhoni’s cameo of 26 off 11 balls closed the game in style.

"We were not getting the kind of starts that we wanted when it came to us as a batting unit. And the fall of wickets at the wrong time [has hurt us] to some extent, but one of the reasons could be that the Chennai wicket's slightly on the slower side. So, out of the first five or six games that we have played, we have played more games [four out of six] over there. The starts of the batting unit has done slightly better when you actually played outside. So, maybe we need to play on wickets that are slightly better, it will give the batsmen the confidence to play their shots because you don't want to play timid cricket. But at the same time, you want to figure out what is your release shot and back yourself and hit that shot. Don't pick an option that is not good for that wicket, but at the same time, it's very important to express [yourself]," he concluded.