By The Sampadak Express
While MS Dhoni no longer holds the ‘captain’ title in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lineup, his influence remains undeniable, particularly when it comes to the Decision Review System (DRS). Even with Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the side, Dhoni’s presence behind the stumps continues to be a key asset for the franchise.
In CSK’s IPL 2025 opener against Mumbai Indians (MI), Dhoni once again showcased his unmatched DRS judgment. When Nathan Ellis struck Mitchell Santner on the pads in the 18th over, Dhoni’s quick, quiet nod was all it took for CSK to call for the review. As always, Dhoni’s instincts proved correct.
Santner, caught on the crease, failed to adjust to Ellis’ low delivery, which struck him on the back pad. Despite the on-field umpire’s call of not-out, Ellis and Dhoni were convinced of the wicket. Within seconds, Gaikwad trusted Dhoni’s decision and signaled for the review. The big screen soon confirmed what Dhoni had anticipated — the ball was on course to hit the top of middle stump, sending Santner packing and adding another crucial wicket to MI’s downfall.
As the ‘OUT’ decision flashed, Ellis turned to Dhoni in celebration, acknowledging the man who made it happen.
Mumbai Indians struggled with the bat, finishing at a mere 155/9. Their innings got off to a disastrous start with Rohit Sharma falling for a duck. The top order collapsed under CSK’s relentless pressure, with only brief resistance from stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav (29) and Tilak Varma (31). However, as MI tried to rebuild, CSK’s bowlers kept chipping away. A late flourish by Deepak Chahar (28*) helped MI push past the 150-run mark, but it was a case of too little, too late.
CSK’s dominant performance with the ball set the stage for a comfortable victory, proving once again that Dhoni’s influence on the field continues to be a game-changer.
