Harbhajan Singh has extracted MS Dhoni's worrisome stats since IPL 2023 while chasing which he believed is hurting the Chennai-based franchise. Despite the reluctance of his fanbase to acknowledge it, MS Dhoni is visibly facing challenges on the field. While his skills behind the stumps remain impressively sharp, his prowess as a batter has undeniably diminished from the days when his presence alone instilled fear in opposing teams. At the age of 43, Dhoni is playing through knee issues, a factor that complicates matters for a Chennai Super Kings team already appearing disjointed in their strategic planning and team selections. Positioning him lower down the batting order is proving to be suboptimal for both Dhoni himself and the team's overall performance. Crucially, his inability to consistently finish games seems to be posing a threat to his illustrious legacy.
Harbhajan Singh brings out MS Dhoni's concerning stats which are costing CSK big time
In the IPL 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Dhoni came down to bat at no.9 when the game was effectively lost. Although he managed an unbeaten 30 runs off just 16 balls, CSK still succumbed to a 50-run defeat. Two days later, against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni was promoted two slots higher in the batting order but was dismissed for 16 runs at a point when CSK's chances of win were already slim. While Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed a half-century with 63 runs off 44 balls, and Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 32 off 22, their respective strike rates highlight a concerning trend for CSK.
However, a bigger issue appears to revolve around the role and utilisation of MS Dhoni within the team. Harbhajan Singh said that CSK are struggling to establish effective team combinations and their unclear approach regarding their most iconic player is costing them. Harbhajan also put forth some of Dhoni's stats while chasing since IPL 2023 which is no less than worrisome.
"I would like to present some stats. Dhoni sahab bahut bade khiladi hain, par jab who aaye hain, match khatam ho chuka tha (Dhoni has been a great player, but by the time he came out to bat, the match was all but over). Whenever Dhoni has chased since IPL 2023 in winning causes, he has scored just 3 runs in 9 balls, without a single boundary or six. But in losing causes, Dhoni has scored 166 runs in 84 balls with 13 fours and 13 sixes. This means that Dhoni averages just 8 in matches CSK have won while in the games lost, his average is 49. Who wants to watch matches lost? And this, I think, is a major issue CSK needs to fix," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
"The team management needs to look at this differently. Send Dhoni up and leave him alone. Tell him to smash, because if he scores runs, then that would matter. Otherwise, there isn't much to nitpick. He still smashes them but these stats aren't materialising," he added.
Harbhajan also addressed other factors he believes are contributing to CSK' struggles. He specifically pointed to Ruturaj Gaikwad's current middle-order batting position and the absence of Devon Conway from the playing eleven.
"Gaikwad has pushed himself down. He is such a good opener, a successful opener. CSK have always had very good openers – be it Matthew Hayden or Brendon McCullum, or Devon Conway. Which reminds me he is in the squad too but he's not playing. I can't figure out how they're making this team. They have preferred Craig Overton over Conway when they have such a good stock of Indian bowlers," Harbhajan added.
"Make these guys play higher, and keep Rachin Ravindra Jadeja. Then at least, their batting would look strong. Right now, it's like when Shivam Dube gets out, it feels as if it's all over. They have no batter who at will can hit fours and sixes. Ruturaj played well but he lacked intent. Even Jadeja's innings was slow. He too couldn't strike those big shots," he concluded.
CSK are currently at seventh position on the 2025 IPL points table, having collected only two points from their initial three matches in the IPL 2025. The five-time IPL champions will have an opportunity to improve their standing when they take on Delhi Capitals on April 5.