Udaipur, April 2, 2025: He came in at number 8 in the first match against Mumbai Indians, at number 9 in the next match against Royal Challengers, and was last seen at number 7 against Rajasthan Royals. The batsman in question is Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

He remained unbeaten without scoring in the first match, scored an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls in the next match, and then made 16 off 11 balls in the last match. Not bad for a cameo inning by any other batsman, but the man is MS Dhoni. Expectations are high for him. Dhoni's team won the first match of the IPL this season but lost the next two matches.

Dhoni’s Batting Position Sparks Debate

After three matches, the biggest discussion is about Dhoni's batting position. Why is the CSK legend batting so low? Not just this season, but even in the last IPL, Dhoni batted at number 8 or 9 in most matches, with a few appearances at number 7. Chennai Super Kings failed to reach the playoffs last season.

Why is Dhoni Coming in Late?

Dhoni is known as a finisher, so why is he coming in so late? Does the team no longer trust him? Is he playing just because of his name, or is there another reason?

Dhoni himself explained that last season’s IPL was held before the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube were in contention for a spot in the World Cup squad, he wanted to give them more chances. But what about this season?

Coach Fleming’s Explanation

After the loss to Rajasthan Royals, CSK coach Stephen Fleming shared the reason. He said that the decision was Dhoni’s own. Fleming explained, "Dhoni understands his body well. His knees are not the same as before. It may not be visible, but he has to take care of them. He cannot bat for 10 overs anymore because batting also involves running and scoring. Plus, he has to keep wickets for 20 overs."

Is Dhoni Playing Only for His Name?

Fleming’s words suggest that Dhoni, at 43, is not as fit as before and cannot handle too much pressure. That is why he is batting lower down the order. Does this mean he is playing only because of his name? If it were any other player, would he still get this opportunity?

Chris Gayle Supports Dhoni

Chris Gayle didn’t get into the debate about what would happen to another player. However, the West Indian legend believes Dhoni deserves this opportunity.

Speaking to InsideSport, Gayle said, "What Dhoni has given to the IPL cannot be compared with anyone else. His presence adds extra value. If you want to see more of Dhoni, stop pressuring him. It would send the wrong message to a legend like him."

Dhoni’s Presence Matters

Gayle believes Dhoni should be given more time in the tournament for the sake of the IPL. "Whether he comes at number 3 or number 11, it doesn’t matter. People just want to see him. He is important for Chennai and the IPL," he said.

This means Dhoni’s batting position is not just about cricket. But in the IPL, is everything related to cricket?