After enduring five consecutive defeats in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally found a much-needed breakthrough, and unsurprisingly, it was MS Dhoni who led from the front. In their clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium, Dhoni’s masterclass wasn’t limited to his batting or sharp glovework — it extended to his tactical nous and leadership that sparked a five-wicket win and revived CSK’s hopes in the tournament.
Sitting uncomfortably at the bottom of the table, CSK had struggled with their powerplay performances, both with the bat and the ball. Recognizing the trend, Dhoni and the team management made bold calls. Experienced campaigners Devon Conway and Ravi Ashwin were left out, making way for younger and more dynamic options.
Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed were brought in to add freshness and pace to the opening attack, and their impact was immediate. LSG were kept to just 42 runs in the powerplay, with both seamers striking early, including the big wicket of Nicholas Pooran.
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Explaining the rationale behind the changes, MS Dhoni said, “We needed more options in the first six overs. Ashwin was under pressure bowling in conditions not offering much. We’ve now got a better mix — fast bowlers upfront, and Noor Ahmad as a backup. It gives more flexibility, and I think our bowling unit delivered well today.”
In the middle overs, the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad choked LSG’s progress. Jadeja removed Mitchell Marsh and Ayush Badoni, while Noor was miserly, giving away just 13 runs in his four overs.
CSK’s batting, too, showed intent. Debutant Shaik Rasheed impressed with six crisp boundaries during the powerplay, setting the tone with a 59/1 start — a major improvement from previous outings. Though the middle order stuttered, Shivam Dube and Dhoni turned up when it mattered most, with 56 needed off the last five overs. Dhoni’s 11-ball 26 — full of vintage flair — sealed the win with seven balls to spare.
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Reflecting on CSK’s earlier struggles, MS Dhoni added, “The Chennai pitches have been slower, and it’s made strokeplay difficult. We just needed a pitch where batters could express themselves. Once that happened, the difference showed.”
The victory wasn’t just two points — it was a reminder of the value of Dhoni’s cricketing brain and his unmatched ability to turn things around when the chips are down.
