Chennai Super Kings’ M.S. Dhoni arrives to bat during the IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, on March 28, 2025
| Photo Credit: PTI
M.S. Dhoni on Friday (March 28, 2025) surpassed former left-hand batter Suresh Raina to become the highest run-getter for five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The wicketkeeper-batter accomplished this milestone during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he scored an unbeaten 30 runs off just 16 balls.
With this knock, the 43-year-old surpassed Raina to achieve the landmark of highest run-getter for the franchise. Currently, Dhoni has a total of 4,699 runs in the 204 innings, which has come at an impressive average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 139.43.
Before retiring from the sport, Raina scored 4,687 runs in 171 innings he played for the Chennai-based franchise.
The other players on the list are Faf Du Plessis (2,721 runs in 86 innings), skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (2,433,* runs from 67 innings), and Ravindra Jadeja (1,939 runs off 127 innings). Gaikwad and Jadeja are still playing for the franchise, whereas Du Plessis has joined Delhi Capitals as vice-captain for the ongoing season.
Dhoni should be promoted up the order: Watson
Baffled by some of the tactics of Chennai Super Kings in their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson said he does not understand why M.S. Dhoni continues to bat lower down the order.
Watson also felt that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad should have opened the innings.
Dhoni came to bat at number nine as Ravichandran Ashwin was sent ahead of him. He smashed the RCB bowlers all around the park but the effort went in vain as it came too late. The match was as good as over before Dhoni came to the crease.
“This is exactly what CSK fans come to see — 30 off 16 deliveries from Dhoni. I would have absolutely loved to see him come up the order. In my opinion, he should have batted ahead of Ashwin,” Watson said.
“Given the game situation, Dhoni could have played like this for another 15 balls. Over the last couple of years, he has consistently shown that he’s still batting beautifully. I truly believe he should be promoted up the order so we can see the full extent of his skills. ”
Top-order crumbles
The top and middle order of the CSK crumbled as skipper Gaikwad endured four-ball-duck batting at number three on Friday night.
“It was disappointing to see certain decisions, like Rahul Tripathi opening the batting. Ruturaj Gaikwad is a quality opener, yet he had to come in later. Even one of the shots Ruturaj played, where he gave himself room against Hazlewood, was uncharacteristic,” Watson said.
“Normally, he stands still and reacts, but this showed he was under pressure. Deepak Hooda, at the moment, just isn’t up to it; he played each ball as if he was trying to survive.
“Batting Sam Curran at No. 5 was also questionable. I see him as more of a No. 7 batter. Right now, CSK hasn’t got their combinations right, and they need to make a few adjustments. If they persist with this batting line-up, they risk being exposed.”
Published – March 29, 2025 12:21 pm IST