• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Whatever Decision Msd Made Sunil Gavaskar Judges Ms Dhonis Call To Play Ipl 2025

“Whatever Decision MSD Made…”: Sunil Gavaskar Judges MS Dhoni’s Call To Play IPL 2025

Bhargav Dixit

Sunil Gavaskar supports MS Dhoni. [Source: @bbctms & @CricCrazyJohns/X]Sunil Gavaskar supports MS Dhoni. [Source: @bbctms & @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Sunil Gavaskar has thrown his weight behind Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for participating in the ongoing 18th season of the Indian Premier League. One of the five players retained by the franchise, Dhoni was among the 12 “uncapped” players retained across all teams before the mega auction.

With Chennai in the middle of their worst IPL season ever, an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad resulted in Dhoni leading them mid-season for the second time in the history of the tournament. As per Gavaskar, neither is Dhoni selfish for playing nor for leading.

“Any player makes decisions not so much for himself, but for what is likely to be good for the team. Whatever decision MSD made about playing this season would have been based solely on what’s best for CSK,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Sports Today.

Sunil Gavaskar Blames CSK’s Scouts

Gavaskar, meanwhile, blamed Super Kings’ scouting team for not being as effective as their competitors. The 75-year-old didn’t seem pleased with picking players from state-run T20 leagues.

“First and foremost, they need to get their auction strategy right. I'm not too sure their scouting team is as effective as those of other franchises,” Gavaskar added.

If truth be told, the legendary cricketer-turned-commentator isn’t entirely right in saying this. Scouted from T20 tournaments conducted by various state associations, multiple IPL 2025 rookies have done incredibly well this season.

CSK, on the contrary, stuck to their tried and tested strategy of buying players past their prime in the hope of rejuvenating their careers. Having done the same with the likes of Ashish Nehra, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane etc. in the past, their IPL 2025 picks namely Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar and Ravichandran Ashwin failed to make the most of opportunities given to them.