FLOP SHOW: Chennai Super Kings come a cropper against KKR

The Chennai Super Kings fans are a patient lot. Even when the team has fared badly in the Indian Premier League, they have cheered the Yellow Brigade. Two years ago, when the results were poor, radio shows on FM frequency supported MS Dhoni and his team. In 2024, there was a change, with Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in as skipper. He did not set the IPL on fire with performance or leadership. And with the CSK flopping in the 2025 edition of the IPL, what hit the team further was an elbow fracture for captain Ruturaj.

Why the CSK team allowed him to continue for more than a few days after the blow he took in Guwahati against Rajasthan Royals is baffling. And when the CSK coach Stephen Fleming said on Thursday MS Dhoni would lead in the remainder of the season it was a surprising announcement. On an emotional quotient, 43-year-old Dhoni returning as captain was welcomed by the fans. The magic and aura of Dhoni is well-known but to imagine he would turn match winner for CSK again was bizarre. What one saw in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday was a charade at the Chepauk, in Chennai.

This CSK team is struggling, can’t bat, cant bowl and to score less than a 100 runs total is shocking. It is not as if the KKR bowlers were on fire. Yes, bringing in Moeen Ali was a great strategic move by skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Poor Dhoni, he took on captaincy again only to see his side lose by eight wickets.

Frankly speaking, blaming Dhoni alone does not help. As a wicket-keeper, he has been more than good at the age of 43. He pulls off amazing stumpings, as witnessed till now in the IPL. The problem is in Dhoni’s batting, he cannot produce the same magic like before, hit big sixes, execute helicopter shots and clear the field. Forget what he did in the past, at best, today, he can hang in. This will not work if people want to see Dhoni as a finisher.

The real problem is the composition of the side where there is a lack of balance. To be bringing in players in late 30s, like R.Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja has not worked. They have not been able to perform at all. When Ashwin was bought at the auction in December 2024, Ashwin was emotional. Sadly, a man who has now been stopped from putting out stuff on his own YouTube channel regarding the CSK team will do well to analyse what he has not done. The hype was massive and he has not been able to deliver. The same applies for Jadeja as well, who is no longer young.

So many teams in the IPL have brought in younger players this time. There has been almost an overhaul in some teams. If CSK thought they will ride on the past results from golden oldies, it has bombed at the box office. Each IPL side needs a mix of fresh talent, youngsters and those who have been there for a long time and are ready to mesh with fresher legs.

It made no sense for the CSK coach Stephen Fleming to announce Dhoni would lead CSK on Thursday. Logic demanded, someone else should have been groomed if Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced out. This is poor planning and poor execution from the CSK think-tank. The 2025 season is as good as over. Here is hoping the 2026 IPL season will see changes in the CSK side.