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‘He Can't Bat 10 Overs’ - CSK Coach Breaks Silence On MS Dhoni Batting At No. 9 vs RCB

Aakash Saini

MS Dhoni in action for CSK in IPL 2025 [Source: @DHONIism/x]MS Dhoni in action for CSK in IPL 2025 [Source: @DHONIism/x]

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has addressed the controversy behind MS Dhoni’s much-discussed batting position in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. The former Indian captain batted at number eight during CSK’s opening match of the season against Mumbai Indians. The cricketer played just a couple of deliveries as unbeaten Rachin Ravindra delivered the winning hit.

However, during CSK’s next match against RCB, Dhoni arrived to the crease at number nine when the match was already out of his team’s reach. On March 30 against Rajasthan Royals, the 43-year-old again batted at number seven as the ‘Yellow Brigade’ fell short of its target by six runs.

CSK coach clarifies MS Dhoni’s batting position

While speaking during a post-match press conference, CSK coach Stephen Fleming stated that MS Dhoni is not at a stage where he can bat 10 overs “running full stick”. Signifying the age factor, Fleming added that Dhoni is balancing out by trusting other players to finish off games. He said:

“Yeah, it's a time thing. MS Dhoni 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.”

Stephen Fleming also stated that MS Dhoni is still “too valuable” for the team owing to his leadership presence and wicketkeeping skills.

“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.”

Nonetheless, CSK won its opening match of the IPL 2025 season against Mumbai Indians before losing out to RCB and Rajasthan Royals in succession.

Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK will now face Delhi Capitals at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in match number 17 of the IPL 2025 season.