Chennai Super Kings (CSK) needed a spark after five straight IPL 2025 defeats, and the great captain MS Dhoni provided it—not just with his bat and glove performance behind the stumps, but also with some astute selections. After defeating the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets, CSK changed their approach and perspective in addition to breaking their losing streak.
After dropping their last five games, CSK was suffering at the bottom of the table going into the encounter at Ekana Stadium. Poor batsmanship and ball beginnings during the powerplay were the cause of previous losses. As a result, MS Dhoni and the management had to make some significant choices.
In favour of younger players, Dhoni chose to bench veteran players Devon Conway and Ravi Ashwin. Important roles in the powerplay were assigned to Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed, and the shift was successful. With both bowlers taking a wicket each, including the vital removal of Nicholas Pooran, LSG was held to only 42 runs in the opening six overs.
Because we need more bowlers in the first six, we wanted to make sure that our first six overs were a little bit better, so we made some adjustments. Since Ash bowled two overs on wickets that weren’t doing much and the batters were just expressing themselves, we were actually putting Ash under too much strain. We changed a few things so that we could have more bowlers who could bowl in the first six.
Noor [Ahmad] may also come in with one over if necessary if the fast bowlers go for runs. I think this attack is better, and the captain has more manoeuvrability. As a bowling team, I believe we have performed admirably. “I think we can do even better as a batting unit,” he stated during the post-match presentation.
Avoid selecting an option that isn’t suitable for that wicket: MS Dhoni
During the middle overs, LSG’s progress was halted by the outstanding performances of Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. Jadeja took the crucial wickets of Ayush Badoni and Mitchell Marsh, while Noor gave up just 13 runs in his four overs.
As rookie Shaik Rasheed struck six boundaries in the powerplay, they looked different at bat. He helped CSK reach 59/1 in the first six overs, almost matching the 60+ starts Dhoni had claimed the club lacked. Dhoni and Shivam Dube came in with 56 needed off 30 balls after the chase faltered in the middle. With a spectacular cameo of 26 from 11 balls, Dhoni ended the match.
As a batting team, we were not receiving the variety of starts we desired. However, the fact that the Chennai wicket is a little slower may be one of the reasons why we have suffered some from the falling of wickets at the wrong moment. Thus, we have played more games [four out of six] over there than we have in the first five or six games.
When the game was played outside, the batting unit’s starts performed somewhat better. Because you don’t want to play shy cricket, perhaps we could play on somewhat better wickets. This will empower the batters to take their shots. At the same time, though, you should determine your release shot, support yourself, and make it. “It’s crucial to express [yourself], but don’t choose a position that isn’t useful for that wicket,” he said.
India
