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MS Dhoni was subject to criticism during Chennai Super Kings’ failed attempt to chase down 184 at home as he struggled to find momentum in his unbeaten 30 off 26.
MS Dhoni has been subject to immense criticism from experts (Picture credit: AP)
Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden, who once shared the dressing room with MS Dhoni at the Chennai Super Kings, has said that the latter should start commentating on games because it is over for him in the game, as ‘he has lost the cricket’, after CSK slumped to their third consecutive defeat in IPL 2025.
Hayden’s comment came after Dhoni‘s yet another poor batting show in CSK’s 25-run defeat to the Delhi Capitals.
Reacting to Dhoni’s go-slow approach against DC, Hayden said that the former should retire from cricket and pick up the microphone.
“Dhoni should join us in our commentary box after this game. He has lost the cricket. It’s over for him. He should accept this fact before it’s too late for CSK,” Hayden said.
Dhoni has had a below-average start to IPL 2025 till now, with his scores reading 0*, 30*, 16 and 30*.
The presence of Dhoni’s parents, Pan Singh and Devaki Devi, at the Chepauk during the game against Delhi on Saturday, April 5, sparked speculation about an imminent retirement.
“No, that’s not my role to put an end to it. I have no idea. I’m just enjoying working with him. He’s still going strong. I don’t even ask these days. You guys are the ones that ask (about retirement),” Chennai coach Stephen Fleming said in the post-match press conference.
The decision to send Dhoni at No. 9 attracted heavy criticism, but on Saturday, he walked out at No. 7 but struggled to gain any momentum during his 26-ball 30 as Chennai lost the game by 25 runs.
Fleming didn’t see Dhoni coming in the 11th over as a damage limitation move and said that batting at that stage was tough.
“The intent was there. When he went out, I think the ball started to grip a little bit more. We understood it was going to be good for the first half and then gradually get slower,” Fleming said.
“They did it well. Vijay Shankar struggled to get the timings through his innings. But that period from 12 to 16 overs was difficult for all. It was tough to watch and certainly tough to be out there,” Fleming added.
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