'I am not competing for...': MS Dhoni on why he bats so low for Chennai Super Kings

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni on why he bats lower down the order. (IPL Photo)

IPL 2025: Veteran CSK batter MS Dhoni came out to bat at no.9 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 8 of the IPL 2025 edition. This move was questioned by numerous fans and former cricketer fans. Many questioned why a player like MSD came down the order when the game was impossible to win.

During an interview with JioHotstar, Dhoni shared why he consistently bats lower in the order, emphasizing that this strategy is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Before the start of the 18th edition of the cash-rich league, MS Dhoni revealed in an interview that last year, he prioritized giving Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja more opportunities to bat higher, aiming to strengthen their T20 World Cup selection chances. He also clarified that the batters ahead of him are performing well, and the franchise is not being negatively impacted.

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"So, if you see, there was a problem in my knee, but it was more manageable than anything else last year. Also, there was a selection for the T20 World Cup. If you look at our team, who were the contenders? Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) was among the contenders, and Shivam Dube was among the contenders, so you obviously want to give them a chance. I don't want to get selected. I am not competing for that place," said Dhoni.

"And they were doing their job. It's not like a franchise is getting harmed if you are looking to promote players, you know. So, if everybody is doing the role and the responsibility, and it's taking some pressure off me, then why not," he added.

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Dhoni, still remarkably agile behind the stumps, mentioned that his approach would have shifted if the batters above him were struggling to score runs. However, his philosophy remains simple: "Why fix something that ain't broke?"

"So, that was the thinking behind it. Let's say, if their batting wasn't that good, or if they weren't getting the required runs, then the thinking would have changed," said Dhoni.

"But if there is a decision that is doing everyone good, then why not," he added.

In the CSK vs. RCB clash, RCB secured a historic victory in Chepauk after 17 years. Led by Rajat Patidar, they defended a total of 196, winning by 50 runs. Josh Hazlewood starred with three wickets, while Yash Dayal and Liam Livingstone chipped in with two each.