Why Didn't MS Dhoni Come To Bat vs RCB At His Usual Batting Position?

MS Dhoni - (Source:@Johns/X.com)

In the ongoing match 8 of IPL 2025, the hosts Chennai Super Kings are in deep trouble as they lost six wickets for less than 100 runs on the board while chasing a mammoth total of 197 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. 

An interesting incident occurred in the ongoing match as MS Dhoni didn't walk to bat at his usual No. 8 position. Notably, Yash Dayal took two wickets in his over and the fans were waiting to see MS Dhoni walking down the stairs to bat after six wickets fell. 

However, they were stunned to see R Ashwin walk ahead of Dhoni. It left the fans puzzled and the internet was sent into frenzy as MSD had nearly seven overs for himself to create an impact. The move became a laughing stock on the internet as fans trolled Dhoni. But why did MS Dhoni send Ashwin ahead of him in the batting order?

Why Didn't MS Dhoni Bat At No.8 vs RCB?

It is worth noting that MS Dhoni is struggling with fitness issues and for him to bat seven overs would also mean a lot of runnings between the wicket. Thus, it wouldn't have been possible for Thala to exert so much and potentially risk another knee injury. 

Hence, the CSK management and MSD are clear that it is not about the batting order, but the amount of balls left in the match that decides Dhoni's batting order. Thus, had CSK lost six wickets in 16th or 17th over, then MSD might have walked to bat. 

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