Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming explained that MS Dhoni is batting lower in the order because of his knee issues. After CSK’s narrow 6-run loss to Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 on Sunday, Fleming addressed the curiosity around Dhoni’s batting position. This season, Dhoni has been coming in between No. 7 to 9, and in this match, he batted at No. 7.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Fleming said the decision is mainly about managing Dhoni’s fitness while balancing his role as a wicketkeeper.

'Dhoni can't bat 10 overs running full stick' - Steven Fleming

Everyone knows he is not the old Thala who used to win matches at will.

Despite knowing his limitations, they want to stick with him, it is their call and they will be ready to face the repercussions.

His keeping… pic.twitter.com/RyUXUkv9aE

— Amit T (@amittalwalkar) March 31, 2025

 

“It’s all about timing. MS knows his body well, and his knees aren’t the same as before. He’s still moving fine, but playing long innings at full intensity is tough. He decides on the day how much he can give. If the game is tight, like today, he’ll come in earlier. Otherwise, he backs the other batters to do the job,” Fleming explained. He also mentioned that the team prefers Dhoni to bat after the 13th or 14th over, depending on the match situation.

ALSO READ: LSG vs PBKS: Match 13 Weather and Pitch report – IPL 2025 

“I said this last year too he’s too important to us as a leader and wicketkeeper to send him in too early. He has never been someone who bats for 9-10 overs. So from around the 13th or 14th over, he makes the call based on the situation,” he added. Even though Dhoni has played some quick cameos this season, his leadership and wicketkeeping remain the biggest priorities for CSK in IPL 2025.

Chennai Super Kings bowling department has struck a huge blow before the match against RCB in Chennai at Chepauk Stadium. Csk won their opening encounter against Mumbai Indians by 4 wickets as it would have been a tricky chase if Rachin Ravindra hadn't been in the crease who finished the proceedings. In that very match Csk was missing their premium bowler Pathirana, who was ruled out in last year's IPL season due to a hamstring injury.

 It's been said that Pathirana is still in the recovery phase and may take time to recover, so he will be missing the second match against RCB which would be another exciting contest between these two teams.RCB would be using this advantage as they have not won in Chennai since the victory in 2008, its been 17 long years of wait which RCB try to rectify. 

Read More: IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans Match 9
Pathirana Ruled Out At Last Year's IPL
Sri Lankan young bowler Pathirana was bought as a replacement player in 2022, whose death over bowling was quite impressive and soon he was an integral part of the team. He has taken 34 wickets at an average of 17.41. Till then Pathirana has been on player for the Csk franchise. He played a crucial role in the 2023 victory triumph which was his first IPL trophy too. Everything was going on w for him but last year he struck with a hamstring injury in mid of the season. 

Since that, he has been in the recovery phase despite his injury, and Csk has retained him for 13 crores. It has been said that Pathirana is in the final stage of his recovery and requires a medical clearance certificate from the SLC board then only he would be able to take part in the league. Already Pathirana had missed the first game against Mumbai Indians and it was clearly seen that Csk was badly missing Pathirana at the death overs, where Deepak Chahar bashed Csk bowlers at the end. 
Stephen Fleming On Pathirana Comeback
CSK is having an important match against RCB, where Pathirana services would have been much important but it has been stated by coach Stephen Fleming that Pathirana has been ruled out against RCB, as he is still recovering from his injury.  Fleming portrayed both team's achievement and their complexity with each other.

Things change quite quickly. The RCB from last year and the CSK from last year are quite different. We don't look at all into past performances. Certainly looking at their team, Kohli is a big part of it, but they've got other strengths as well. With playing conditions always a factor in any game, the CSK head coach admitted that adaptability will be key as the team navigates different pitches throughout the tournament. Each pitch plays differently and one should be ready for every challenge. 

New Zealand have won the second semi-final against South Africa in Lahore. The Champions Trophy final will be played against India Vs New Zealand in Dubai. It's going to be a hefty work for both the teams. New Zealand crushed South Africa by batting first putting upon a huge, total of 362 runs, cudos to Rachin Ravindra and Willamson for centuries which laid the strong foundation despite losing early wickets. They never looked freckled and South Africa looked clueless when they were bowling. There was no plan of action from South African captain Temba Bavuma. 

When South Africa came to chase they were already in huge pressure of chasing a huge total and its been a habit of them chocking in crunch situation. Even today partnership of Temba Bavuma and Rassie Van Der Dessen couldn't save them, because rest of them fell like bunch of cards even though Miller crunched till end but it was too late.

Read More: We will play fearless cricket says Pakistan New T20 captain Salman Ali Aga

It's New Zealand Vs India For The Finals

New Zealand will once again travel to Dubai for one last time where India is waiting for them. Both New Zealand and India were the best teams to be deserving in the finals. India has been unbeaten in the tournament like they were in the 2023 World Cup and New Zealand has just lost only one game that too against India, In the rest of the other games they have crunched the opposition.

India and New Zealand were in the same group of the Champions Trophy where India topped the table by beating New Zealand, thanks to the spell of Varun Chakravarthy who took a fifer and finished his redemption when he got hammered 5 years back in the same Dubai ground. It is a match between two quality sides who have equal firepower yet India still has the pain that they will never forget which was delivered in 2000

Repetition of the 2000 Champions Trophy Final

Let's take back to your days of late 2000 when the same teams which are now playing the finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy, played the highly intense final 25 years ago too. Where Stephen Fleming the current CSK coach and Saurav Ganguly leading their teams respectively. India won the toss and chose to bat first. It was Ganguly for India who was leading from the front scoring a fantastic century and accompanied by little master Sachin Tendulkar half a century gave  New Zealand the target of 265.

Read More: Big Set Back For Mumbai Indians Star Player Is Doubtful For IPL 2025

When New Zealand came to chase believing it was not the kind of start they wanted they lost their openers Craig Spearman and Nathan Hassle, backed by Stephen Fleming even though half of the side was in the dugout. It was a match in hand for India, But then Chris Cairns expanded the innings completely he scored 102 runs from 113 balls supporting Chris Harris who scored 46. New Zealand won the match by six wickets with 2 balls to spear. It was a clear turn that no one expected and after 25 years the clock has come to its full rotation, where India and New Zealand going to face each other on Sunday 9 March. Will India take their redemption it's time to wait for. 

ICC Champions Trophy: Top 5 Most Winning Captains in the History 
The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the most important tournaments in International cricket . For many years, a number of great captains have come and gone, each leading their team to numerous wins with exemplary leadership, tactical acumen and resilience. This is a comprehensive look at top 5 ICC Champions trophy, lifted by most winning captains. 

1.Ricky Pointing(12 Wins)

Rickey Pointing one  of the most successful captains of cricket history and his legacy in the ICC Champions Trophy He is the one and only captain with the most wins in the Champions (12 Wins) For 16 matches he only suffered 3 and one match is no result. He has the tactical captaincy he is the only one who dominates the champians trophy he also has a back-to-back winning streak in 2006 and 2009. 

Major Key Achievements 

• Champians in 2006 and 2009
• 12 wins in 16 matches
• One of the highest win percentage captain

2.Brian Lara(11 Wins):

In ICC Champions Trophy, Brian Lara who was one of the greatest batsmen in history also turned out to be a feared leader. Lara made 15/4 for West Indies, winning 11, just losing only 4.
He had his biggest success in 2004 when West Indies managed to lift their one and onlyICC Champions Trophy. With Lara  West Indies are incredible in a final last over magic at The Oval as they chase a heavy total. This was one of Lara's last great ICC tournaments wins for West Indies, which made him a true inspiration.

Major Key Achievements:

• Champions in 2004
• 11 wins in 15 matches

3.Stephen Fleminig(8Wins):

New Zealand's first big ICC win Stephen Fleming was a born ICC leader for New Zealand that took them to their first-ever ICC title in the 2000 Champions Trophy. He captained New Zealand 13 Matches, winning 8 and losing 5 in all.

India was defenseless when they faced New Zealand in 2000 (final), as they chased down a tough target in a beautiful game. Fleming was a cool and collected captain, who helped New Zealand to reach where they were. 

Major Key Achievements:

• First champian ship in 2000
• 13 matches 8 wins
• Firsr captain to win the trophy

ALSO READ:Is Ishan Kishan really sidelined from Indian team questions former cricketer

4.Sourav Ganguly(7Wins)

Sourav Ganguly the aggressive fearless captaincy (11 Champions Trophy matches won 7, Lost 2 came no-results and led India) Ganguly was the key lead in the 2002 joint success of Indian team at Champions Trophy India vs sri lanka were co-champions as final went wrong due to rain. Also made it to the final in 2000 but this time they lost to New Zealand.Ganguly steered India for years ahead as he groomed many young players and instilled the no-compromise for  future Indian Champions in ICC events.

Major Key Achievements :

• Join winners in 2002 
• Finalists in 2000
• 11 matches 7 wins 

5.MS.Dhoni(6 Wins)

MS Dhoni is one of the greatest captains cricket has ever seen, and he led India to their second ICC Champions Trophy title in 2013. India went undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all their matches under his leadership.Dhoni captained India in 8 Champions Trophy matches, with 6 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no result. He was very composed and calm under pressure, which made all the difference for India.
This victory made Dhoni the first captain to win all three major ICC white-ball tournaments-the T20 World Cup (2007), Cricket World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013).

Major key Achievements:

• Champians in 2013
• 8 matche 6 wins
• Only captain to wins trophies in all formats

Legendary New Zealand captain and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming and former Indian captain and head coach Rahul Dravid revealed the same name when asked about the top pick of one player from the past to participate in the IPL auction.

Jeddah is hosting the two-day mega auctions for the IPL 2025. The opening day experienced some record signings. 

Watch: Jasprit Bumrah gets a special name from Aussie commentators

Fleming and Dravid revealed their choices

Recently, the present IPL coaches were asked about their top choices for one player from the past to participate in the IPL auction. While the Rajasthan Royals’ new head coach Rahul Dravid named some big players, one of his names matched with the CSK head coach Stephen Fleming. 

Dravid and Fleming named former Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina as their top pick if one player from the past to participate in the IPL auction. 

Q: If you could bring back one player from the past to participate in the IPL auction, who would be your top pick?

Fleming : It’s Suresh Raina

Rahul Dravid : Suresh Raina he is a phenomenal player 🐯#SureshRaina | @ImRaina | #Whistlepodu pic.twitter.com/siWw3RkJ35

— SHANNU 🇮🇳 (@Shannu39) November 24, 2024

IPL Legend: Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is a familiar name in the Indian Premier League who ended his career as a legendary cricketer. The left-handed batter previously held the record for most runs in the IPL for a long time. He was the first batter in IPL history to score 5000 runs. 

Apart from the 2016 and 2017 seasons, where the CSK were suspended along with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for two seasons, Raina served for the Yellow Army. In the IPL 2016 and 2017 seasons, Raina served for the now-defunct Gujarat Lions. He ended his IPL career with 5528 runs in 205 matches with an average of 32.51 and a strike rate of 136.73 with one century and 39 half-centuries. 

Raina also scored 842 runs in 24 matches for the CSK in the now-defunct Champions League T20 (CLT20) with the help of one century and five half-centuries. He was the first Indian to record a century in the CLT20.

Despite last time playing in 2021, Raina still holds the record for most runs by a CSK batter with 5529 runs in 200 matches (average 33.10 and strike rate 138.91), including two centuries and 38 half-centuries. 

Moreover, Raina took 110 catches for CSK and 109 catches in his IPL career. Currently, he is the record holder for the most catches for CSK and second most catches in the IPL history. 

As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches and Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team comes to an end, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keen to secure their preferred candidate, Stephen Fleming, for the coveted head coach position. To achieve this, they have turned to MS Dhoni, hoping his influence can persuade Fleming to take on the role.

Stephen Fleming shows hesitation about committing to a long-term contract

Stephen Fleming, a highly successful coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has expressed hesitation about committing to a long-term contract due to his current coaching commitments and family obligations. Fleming’s impressive coaching resume includes leading the Texas Super Kings (USA), Joburg Super Kings (South Africa), and the Southern Brave (England). These roles, with their shorter seasons, allow him more time with his family, contrasting sharply with the year-round commitment required for the head coach position of Team India.

 “Fleming hasn’t said no. He has expressed his concerns about the tenure of the contract, which is nothing unusual. Even Rahul Dravid wasn’t keen in the beginning. He was persuaded. It shouldn’t be a surprise if the same thing happens with Fleming. And who better than MS Dhoni to do the job?” a BCCI source told.

BCCI banks on Dhoni-Fleming relationship to secure coaching role

The BCCI believes that MS Dhoni’s close relationship with Fleming, forged over years of collaboration at CSK and the Rising Pune Supergiant, could be instrumental in convincing him to accept the head coach role. Dhoni’s influence, they hope, will sway Fleming’s decision.

“Opening channels with Dhoni during the IPL was not the right thing to do, but now it may be worth a shot,” the source added.

With senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli nearing the end of their illustrious careers, the Indian cricket team is on the brink of a significant transition. The BCCI sees Fleming’s extensive experience, tactical acumen, and exceptional man-management skills as vital assets in navigating this crucial phase.

See Also: 3 overseas players who did not get a single match in IPL 2024 league stage

As the T20 World Cup 2024 looms on the horizon, cricket fans eagerly anticipate whether Dhoni can leverage his rapport with Fleming to bring him on board, guiding India through this pivotal period in their cricketing journey.

Chennai Super Lords lead trainer Stephen Fleming said skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is nursing a knee injury

Fleming’s comments came after the four-time IPL champion Chennai Super Kings were defeated by Rajasthan Royals by three runs in a last-ball thriller at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.

During the match against the Rajasthan Royals, CSK’s South African pace bowler Sisanda Magala also sustained a split webbing, adding to the injury concerns

“He (Dhoni) is nursing a knee injury, which you can see in some of his movements, hindering him somewhat. His fitness has been professional. He comes in months before the tournament starts. He does some nets in Ranchi, but his main pre-season is a month before he comes to Chennai,”

Fleming said.

The Royals prevailed after a grueling battle thanks to Seamer Sandeep Sharma’s flawless block-hole pitches.

Pursuing 176, Dhoni (32) and Ravindra Jadeja (25) were on course, requiring 21 runs off the last over. Dhoni couldn’t win his 200th game for CSK on home soil in the manner he would have liked, so the final score for CSK was 172/6.

However, Fleming expressed optimism that the former India captain will successfully manage his injury and continue to lead the team.

“He works his way back into match form, and you can still see he is playing pretty well. So we always have confidence about how he manages himself. He always keeps himself up to speed,”

said Fleming, allaying concerns about Dhoni’s fitness.

On Magala, who had to leave the field with a split webbing after bowling two overs, 

“For us again, it’s losing another player that games in a row — and we’re already pretty thin, so we’d like it (injuries) to stop.”

Fleming said.

With England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was purchased for Rs 16.25 crore at the IPL auction, missing the game because of a heel injury, and pacer Deepak Chahar, who was almost ruled out of the IPL 2023 because of a hamstring injury he sustained during the match against Mumbai Indians, CSK’s list of injured players growing by the day.

“Magala’s hand was split unfortunately, so he was unable to bowl those last two overs. And same with Deepak Chahar in the last game, so we’re operating on pretty thin resources. But we’re not the only team to have that. I think a lot of players coming out of a big domestic season are a little bit broken, but we just keep having to find solutions,”

Fleming said.

Therefore, we will carry it out within the next four days. Be that as it may, no doubt, it’s not great yet. If bowlers continue to sustain injuries, the captain must then think on his feet. Moeen Ali returned after Magala injured his webbing, had a bad day, and took the wicket of Jos Buttler, which was good.

Additionally, you have young players like Akash (Singh), who will be playing his first game and will be required to bowl some crucial overs. It’s not the way that we plan, however T20 seldom goes to design,” the CSK mentor added

Fleming said that Sri Lar acer Matheesha Pathirana, who had tested positive for Coronavirus in New Zealand, had recuperated and was accessible for choice at this point.

“Chahar is out for a few weeks. Magala is out for two weeks. Stokes is being monitored on a day-to-day basis. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana tested positive for Covid-19 in NZ and has recovered and is available for selection now. We did not want to rush him back for this game.”

Fleming was also critical about the fielding. 

“Extras, sloppy in the field with some catches going down, and little things on the day are going to matter as the competition is getting tighter and little things like these will determine results. We lost momentum in the middle, and their spinners bowled well. Some good hitting at the end got us close.”

Dhoni also mentioned that his bowlers gave away too many runs in wides and no-balls earlier.

“We came up against a team that matched well, and it was a pretty good contest. Three-run defeat was a fair reflection,”

added Fleming.

On April 17, CSK will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru.