Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost brutally against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 11 at MA Chidambaram Stadium. The match marked the return of Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Captain Cool has to taste a bitter fruit as his team, batting first, scored only 103/9 in 20 overs, which KKR chased in 10.1 overs in exchange for only 2 wickets. Dhoni, previously trolled heavily for batting at 9 against KKR, scored only 1 batting at number 9 again. 

Read More: IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Highlights

Needless to say, time has come to review MSD's performance in the ongoing IPL 2025. The question arises, is MS Dhoni really delivering in IPL 2025? Against Kolkata Knight Riders, when the team was struggling to maintain a partnership, the former Indian captain stepped into the field as the number 9 batter. Ravichandran Ashwin came before Ravindra Jadeja in the crease to stabilize the innings, Deepak Hood as an impact player, and CSK played all their possible cards to avoid misery but without the desired result. 

MS Dhoni in his prime days can play both roles—anchor and finisher. When Ashwin came in to bat to make a tight grip on the innings before MS, it was probably a clear indication that it is not the Mahendra Singh Dhoni we know. 

MSD's performance in IPL 2025:

CSK vs PBKS- 27 

CSK vs DC: 30*

CSK vs RR: 16

CSK vs RCB: 30*

CSK vs MI: 0*

CSK vs KKR: 1

If somehow the veteran wicketkeeper-batter managed to continue his innings against KKR, then the situation could be different for CSK. But it didn't happen; CSK failed to halt their losing streak. Out of 6 IPL 2025 matches, the yellow brigade lost in 5 games and won only 1. CSK team management needs to do a serious scrutiny and has to find out why the team is performing so miserably.