Every time MS Dhoni decides to return for another IPL season, it sparks the same question — where will he bat this year? As the years have gone by and his role has evolved, Dhoni has slowly drifted lower down the order, allowing younger players to take charge of finishing games while he steps in only when needed.
This season, the conversation has grown louder after Chennai Super Kings signed Sanju Samson, seen by many as a long-term successor to the franchise legend. That move led to speculation that MS Dhoni might move further into a mentor-like role, possibly starting fewer games or coming in very late. But former CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has a very different view.
After watching a viral video of Dhoni back in training, Ashwin suggested that the former India captain looks far from winding down. In fact, he felt Dhoni appeared motivated, sharp and physically ready, hinting that talk of this being his final season may be premature. Ashwin even floated the idea that Dhoni could walk in much earlier than expected, possibly as high as number three during the powerplay, playing the role of an aggressor rather than a finisher.
While the idea sounds exciting, history suggests it would be a surprise. Dhoni has batted at number three only eight times in his IPL career, most recently in 2022. Those outings produced modest results, with 196 runs at a strike rate of 124.84. Still, Ashwin’s comments reflect how Dhoni continues to defy expectations whenever people think he is slowing down.
Ashwin also pointed out that CSK’s biggest strength lies in their stacked batting lineup. With a mix of experience and explosive talent, he feels the team has the firepower to put any bowling attack under pressure. Names like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Karthik Sharma and Prashant Veer form a unit that could make defending even 200-plus totals extremely difficult for opponents. While a couple of players are still inexperienced, the overall depth makes CSK a frightening prospect.
Whether Dhoni bats at number three or sticks to his familiar late-order role remains to be seen. What’s clear, though, is that as long as he’s around, CSK and the IPL will never be short of surprises.
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