'Thala Is Playing Just For Fans': Netizens Slam MS Dhoni For Coming In At No.9 As CSK Suffer Humiliating Loss To RCB In IPL 2025

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) star cricketer MS Dhoni copped plenty of backlash as he came to bat at number nine during the IPL 2025 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday at the Chepauk. With Dhoni coming in to bat when the match was almost out of CSK's grasp, fans have accused him of playing only for fans instead of the team.

The 43-year-old's batting position came massively under scrutiny as he slotted in at number nine while chasing 197 for a win. When the keeper-batter came in to bat, the home side were reeling at 99-7. The former Super Kings skipper blasting two sixes in the final over off Krunal Pandya's bowling and finishing at 30 off 16 deliveries further intensified debates that he should have come in much earlier.

Instead, the management had sent in Ravichandran Ashwin ahead in the order and he made 11 off eight deliveries. The Royal Challengers' 50-run victory is also their first against the Super Kings at Chepauk since 2008.

Here's how the netizens have reacted to MS Dhoni batting at number nine:

"CSK coaching staff do not have the guts to tell MS Dhoni to move up the order" - Manoj Tiwary

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary suggested that the Super Kings is majorly ruled by Dhoni and that the management hardly speak against it. He said on Cricbuzz:

"It's beyond my understanding how a batter like MS Dhoni, who can stay unbeaten after scoring 30 off 16 balls, why not move up the order? You are playing to win, right? CSK coaching staff do not have the guts to tell MS Dhoni to move up the order. I think they will never be able to tell him. Once he has decided, that's it."