IPL 2025: “MS Dhoni can’t have this type of auction” – Former Star Player Questioned CSK’s Strategy

Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) chances of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs are almost over. They faced their seventh loss in just nine games, putting them right at the bottom of the points table. Even the return of MS Dhoni as captain could not bring a change in their fortunes after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury.

MS Dhoni, stepping in again for CSK at 43 years old, showed full commitment on the field. But sadly, the rest of the team did not match his energy. Despite his efforts, CSK kept slipping and now their playoff chances are nearly impossible.

Former CSK star Suresh Raina spoke on Star Sports about why the team has struggled this season. He blamed the team’s auction choices, saying the players picked this year were not up to the mark.

“Kasi Viswanathan has been handling the administration for a long time. Rupa Ma’am is handling buying the player, administration etc. MS knows, whoever is sitting, this time players have not been bought properly,” Raina said.

When asked if Dhoni was fully responsible for the auction decisions, Raina cleared it up.

“They always make a call to MS. But to be very honest, I have never attended any of the auctions. I was never a part of those discussions. I always talked about the players who were retained. MS might get a call about whether to go ahead with a player or not – but he’s not that involved,” Raina explained.

Raina also pointed out that Dhoni would normally suggest a few players, but the core group of the CSK management makes the final choices. He questioned why high-paid players are not performing when their captain is still giving everything on the field at his age.

“The core group handles the auction – you can imagine, Dhoni can’t have this type of auction. He would maybe name four or five players he wants, and out of them, a few would be retained. Even if an uncapped player is working hard, look at MS Dhoni — being a 43-year-old captain, still giving everything. He is giving that effort, what are the other 10 players doing. What are the guys doing who are earning Rs 18 crore, Rs 17 crore, Rs 12 crore. They are not responding to the captain,” Raina added.

Amid the gloom, Dhoni reached a special personal milestone. He played his 400th T20 match during CSK’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Across his T20 career, Dhoni has scored 7566 runs at a strike rate of 135.90. He also holds the record for the most stumpings in T20s, with 34 dismissals.