MS Dhoni arrived in Chennai in February to prepare for IPL 2025, crucial to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a finisher, albeit in a limited role due to his age of 43. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad noted Dhoni’s focused training on hitting sixes, drawing inspiration from his long career. Dhoni expressed a desire to play cricket with childlike innocence, while Gaikwad praised his influence on younger players. CSK is reinforcing its bowling lineup with a mix of spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja, and fast bowlers including Pathirana, reflecting their strategic approach to home games and recent performance improvements.
“That’s what I think he initially set out to do. And honestly, I never thought he was out of shape from day one. Clearly, he is unique—he has been doing this for so many years.
“I want to enjoy it,” he stated during the launch of one of his apps last month, “like I did as a child in school. When I was living in a colony, 4 PM was designated for sports, so we would often play cricket. If the weather didn’t allow for it, we’d switch to football. I want to play with that same zest (though it is) easier said than done.”
The benefits of this mindset are evident for CSK. “We see him every day,” Gaikwad noted. “Naturally, it inspires us greatly. A lot of new players have joined the squad, and they sometimes find it challenging to strike the ball as effectively as he currently does.
“So, it definitely motivates many of us, including myself and everyone in the group. What he is achieving at 43 is truly remarkable and admirable.
“He will certainly aim to contribute in the best way possible. However, we have certain strengths we have adhered to over the past two years. Therefore, not much should change, and we hope he continues delivering those pivotal innings for us.”
CSK is recognized for sticking to a consistent formula, especially at home, and their lineup is expected to feature three high-quality spinners. “With someone like [R] Ashwin and [Ravindra] Jadeja alongside Noor [Ahmed], we’ve always desired an aggressive bowler in our attack who can take wickets consistently. There were limited options in the auction pool, so we aimed to secure the best available, and Noor certainly fits that bill. If conditions are favorable, he’ll undoubtedly pose a significant threat to the opposition.”
“I never thought he was out of shape from day one. Clearly, he is special—he’s performed at this level for many years. We see him daily, and it inspires [us] a lot.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad on MS Dhoni
“He [Pathirana] is indeed in great shape, and we had a good look at him during the practice game,” Gaikwad said. “Additionally, this year, we’ve assembled some excellent fast bowlers as backups.
“We have Mukesh [Choudhary], who is bowling exceptionally well. We also have Khaleel [Ahmed], who’s performing admirably for the Indian team. Anshul Kamboj has impressed in the domestic circuit. Gurjapneet [Singh] and [Kamlesh] Nagarkoti have caught my eye during pre-season. With [Nathan] Ellis also in the mix, I feel confident about our backup options. While having Pathirana in the squad is always advantageous, I’m not overly concerned whether he plays or not.”