An unfortunate season flooded with shocks, changes, and emotional comebacks brought to light MS Dhoni again in the headlines.
Not by his bat but by his risk-taking decision which brought discussions all over the cricketing world. He dropped the experienced off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, from the playing XI of the match against super giants of Lucknow in IPL 2025, and cited a balanced and effective bowling unit.
This comes a couple of weeks after Ashwin’s coming back to Chepauk – a much-celebrated homecoming for the 38-year-old, who was paid a whopping ₹9.75 crore in the IPL auction. But Dhoni showed this again how he’s one of the sharpest minds ever seen in cricket-to leave an off spinner out to dry: sentiment does take backseat to performance.
A Masterstroke in Tactics or Tough Call? Post the match presentation, Dhoni made it out clear about Ashwin’s absence., “We were putting too much pressure on Ash. He was bowling two overs in the first six. We made changes, and this looks like a better attack. As a bowling unit we have done well. As a batting unit we can do better. Roles and Responsibilities – that’s what we talk about,” said he in his usual calm tone, as captain CSK.
It was obvious that Ashwin’s role, especially during the powerplay, had not reaped the expected fruits. In the first six games of the season with CSK, Ashwin managed five wickets at an average of 39.6, while his per-over economy rate ballooned to 9.90 runs. His performance overall in the powerplay worsened the scenario, with 90 runs leaking in just six overs, and his one wicket captured-these were nowhere close to what was expected from a bowler like him.
The dropping of Ashwin was not just for the numbers but also for the tactical and team dynamic. Having lost five successive matches before the lethal battle with Lucknow, changes in the playing XI were inevitable. Clearly, the introduction of Jamie Overton, bringing more explosive batting strength with pace bowling, indicated that CSK was strengthening its middle order depth, compromising very little on bowling.
Devon Conway Dropped Too — Youth Steps In
Conway was not the only one who sat out this encounter. Ashwin was joined by Devon Conway, the graceful New Zealand opener just coming off a series of dismal performances. Underlining the think tank’s willingness to experiment and adapt, particularly because Conway had even been retired out in an earlier fixture against Punjab Kings — a rare sight in T20 cricket — for Ravindra Jadeja.
In the place of Conway comes into the frame a 20-year-old Shaik Rasheed, who found himself in the limelight with Rachin Ravindra as both bowlers brought fire into CSK’s chase with a power-packed 52 runs opening stand marriage which laid the foundation for what would finally turn out to be consummate pursuit of 167.
Return of the Comeback Kings
CSK’s answer to the adversity was vintage Dhoni-calm under pressure, strategic in execution. After Lucknow’s innings ended at 166/7, mostly down to Rishabh Pant’s gritty 63 off 49 balls, Chennai’s batting unit was rejuvenated. The real magic, however, lay at the end of the line.
CSK was reeling at 111-5 in the 15th over, and once again, all eyes were on Dhoni. But as he has done often in the past, he came up with a masterclass. With just 11 balls for 26 runs to his name, Dhoni linked up with Shivam Dube for a short innings, reminded all why he still holds one of the title, being a clutch player in the T20 format.
While Dube was left not out on 43, it was Dhoni’s experience and consistent shot selection that held the innings intact. The two took CSK to the victory target with five wickets remaining to break their five-match losing streak and breathe life back into their IPL 2025 campaign.
As Told by the Captain
However, Dhoni’s calls are open to debate by some, but they clearly speak of leadership clarity. Dropping a seasoned player like Ashwin-the old campaigner and a former CSK stalwart- won’t have been easy. But for Dhoni, team balance always outweighs individual legacies. “This looks like a better attack,” he said, which was more of a message than an analysis. Here everybody has a role, and if that role is not delivering, adjustments will be made.
By all means, this is not curtains for Ashwin. This player of his experience and caliber could resurface later in the season, particularly in case there will be extensive spin-oriented strategies due to conditions or control option in the middle overs. But for now, it’s about what works best right now, and moves that Dhoni takes are proof of a leader fully in sync with his team’s needs.
Crowning Thoughts
The Chennai Super Kings, under-Ms Dhoni, has always been about adaptability and resilience. Whether it’s trusting young blood like Rasheed or making tough calls like benching Ashwin, Dhoni continues to show why he is the heart of this franchise.
Still very open, with quite a few games left to play, it could well be that CSK’s turnaround is one of the stories of IPL 2025; and it all started with a bold call and a skipper who’s never afraid to make one.
Read also: ‘Substitute’ Rohit Sharma Masterminds Mumbai Indians’ Turnaround Against DC -Match 29
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