Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs in the Indian Premier League 2025. Chasing 197 runs, the hosts managed 146/8 at Chepauk. It was their biggest defeat at home in the cash-rich league. MS Dhoni came out to bat at the No.9, and the match was almost over for the five-time champions by then. He scored an unbeaten 30 runs off 16 balls, with the help of 3 fours and 2 sixes, but it went in vain.

Former India player Aakash Chopra took a dig at the veteran cricketer for his batting order and highlighted that his position is not helping the Chennai Super Kings.

“He has hit the most sixes (122) from the 17-20 overs, but he can’t come that late in the batting order. When your team is chasing 197, you need a batter like Dhoni to face more balls as the situation had already gone out of control for CSK by the team Dhoni came to the middle. He should have batted before R Ashwin. Dhoni has to be realistic as the difference between the runs required and the ball remaining can’t be that much,” Aakash Chopra said.

Former CSK batter Suresh Raina also shared a similar opinion. “MS Dhoni will have to come before R Ashwin, and he can’t bat at the No.9 slot,” he said.

Sanjay Bangar also questioned the need to keep Dhoni waiting in the dressing room. “His batting order needs to be changed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and head coach, Stephen Fleming, don’t play any role in Dhoni’s batting slot.