Aakash Chopra questions MS Dhoni’s approach in CSK’s IPL 2025 loss to DC

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned former CSK skipper MS Dhoni’s batting approach after they suffered a 25-run loss against Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday. Dhoni meandered to unbeaten 30 runs off 26 balls whereas Vijay Shankar also failed to find his timing as he scored 69 runs off 54 balls.

Surprisingly, Dhoni didn’t try many aggressive shots despite the run rate going upwards. Chasing a par score of 184 runs, CSK managed 158-5 in their 20 overs and they seemed to give up a bit too early in the first innings after losing five wickets.

“Chennai, what did you do? When the run chase started, wickets were falling as though it was a joke. I have not seen a more insipid performance than this from you. You probably thought after the 10th over that you didn’t want to chase. Did you even try to chase? The required run rate was mounting, and you were defending and taking singles,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Everybody is guilty as charged, whether how Vijay Shankar played at the start or how MS Dhoni started. The haters might come here and ask what the earlier batters did. The earlier batters’ names are not Dhoni. Dhoni is the greatest finisher of all time. If he also plays like that, where was the intent? I didn’t understand it,” he added.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul opened for the first time for Delhi Capitals and the flamboyant batter scored a match-winning knock of 77 runs off just 51 balls.

“Delhi, well done. You made KL Rahul open. Will you continue to make him open or send him down the order? He has played a ‘Man of the Match’ knock, but will you make him open again? He scored 77 runs and played the entire innings,” he said in the same video.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Tuesday.