CSK's Coach Comments on Dhoni's Future Amidst IPL Loss to DC

CSK Faces Defeat Against Delhi Capitals

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] - On April 5, following a disappointing defeat at Chepauk Stadium against the Delhi Capitals (DC), Stephen Fleming, the head coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), addressed rumors regarding MS Dhoni's retirement. He stated he has "no idea" about such speculations and emphasized that the 43-year-old is still performing well.

The match saw CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, fall to eighth place after losing by 24 runs while chasing a target of 184. The team struggled against the spin bowling of Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav. Speculation about Dhoni's retirement intensified before the game, especially with his family, including his parents and wife Sakshi, present in the stands.

In the post-match press conference, Fleming remarked on the retirement rumors, saying, "It's not my place to clarify that. I have no insight. I continue to enjoy working with him, and he remains in good form. I don't even inquire about retirement these days."

During the match, Dhoni scored 30 runs off 26 balls, failing to deliver in the crucial death overs. In IPL 2025, he has accumulated 76 runs across four innings, averaging 76.00 with a strike rate exceeding 138.18, with his highest score being 30.

Dhoni ranks as the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL history, amassing 5,319 runs at an average of 39.40 and a strike rate above 137, including 24 fifties and a top score of 84.

In recent seasons, Dhoni has taken on a new role as a finisher for CSK, often stepping in to hit boundaries in the final overs. He passed the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad last season.

Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, there has been ongoing speculation about whether each IPL season might be his last, and this year is no exception.

In the match, DC won the toss and opted to bat first. After an early loss of Jake Fraser McGurk, a partnership of 54 runs between KL Rahul and Abishek Porel (33 off 20 balls) helped stabilize the innings. KL Rahul scored his first fifty for DC, finishing with 77 runs off 51 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Tristan Stubbs contributed a quick 24 runs off 12 balls, leading DC to a total of 183/6.

Khaleel Ahmed was the standout bowler for CSK, taking 2 wickets for 25 runs.

CSK struggled during their chase, losing five wickets for just 74 runs. Vijay Shankar (69* off 54 balls) and MS Dhoni (30* off 26 balls) attempted to mount a comeback, but CSK ultimately fell short, finishing at 158/5.

Vipraj Nigam was the top bowler for DC with figures of 2/27, while Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav also contributed effectively.

KL Rahul was named Player of the Match.

With this victory, DC tops the points table with three wins from three matches, while CSK, with one win and three losses, finds itself in eighth place.