Chennai Super Kings faced severe criticism from former India opener Aakash Chopra after their loss to Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 on Sunday. CSK’s chase of 183 ran into trouble as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals despite skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s half-century effort, and even MS Dhoni was dismissed on the first ball of the final over. With two losses in three games, CSK now languish in seventh place on the points table.
Aakash Chopra’s Scathing Remarks
On his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra did not hold back on his criticism of CSK’s team composition. He questioned the decision to replace Sam Curran with Jamie Overton, noting that Overton was used sparingly—bowling just two overs. Chopra argued that CSK’s persistent batting woes were the real problem.
“CSK, I do not like your playing XI one bit. You are making changes, but change is not necessarily progress. You dropped Sam Curran and played Jamie Overton, but you got Overton to bowl only two overs. The truth is that you need to address the problem in your batting. It is not getting addressed. It once again came to the fore,” Chopra said.
He also highlighted the contributions of Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, and Khaleel Ahmed, while noting that Overton’s two overs conceded 30 runs—a statistic that further fueled his criticism.
“Why are you playing Overton? You shouldn’t play him,” he added.
Dhoni’s Batting and the Controversial Order
The discussion wasn’t limited to team selection alone. CSK coach Stephen Fleming defended the decision regarding MS Dhoni’s batting position. With the 43-year-old veteran’s physical condition—especially his knees following a left knee operation after IPL 2023—Fleming asserted that the team shouldn’t expect Dhoni to consistently bat in the higher-order in IPL 2025.
In the recent game at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Dhoni came in at No. 7 and scored 16 off 11 balls during the chase, a performance that added to the controversy surrounding his placement. This wasn’t the first time Dhoni’s batting order drew criticism; in the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he was sent in at No. 9 when CSK were struggling at 80/6 after 13 overs. Despite a resilient 16-ball, 30-not-out cameo featuring three fours and two sixes, many former players, commentators, and fans were unhappy with the decision to deploy him so late in the innings.
The Road Ahead
With CSK under fire and their batting issues laid bare, the team faces a crucial challenge as they attempt to climb back up the standings. The debate over the proper use of experienced players like Dhoni and the need for a stable batting lineup is likely to continue as the season progresses. Meanwhile, the scrutiny over team selection and game strategy is sure to heat up in the coming matches.
