&w=3840&q=100)
'Dhoni is struggling': Kris Srikkanth, Sanjay Bangar give reality check as fans speculate on CSK captain's future
Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth and ex-cricketer Sanjay Bangar have questioned MS Dhoni's fitness and feel that it is time for the legendary Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain to 'move on' from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni has won the IPL five times as captain with CSK and is currently captaining them once again in the absence of injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, however, his return to the leadership role has failed to inspire the team as they have been knocked out of the IPL 2025 without much fight.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
CSK are currently at the bottom of the IPL points table with just three wins from 13 matches and under Dhoni's captaincy, they have won just two out of eight matches in the 2025 season. CSK coach Stephen Fleming recently refused to delve into Dhoni's possible future at the franchise and even the Ranchi cricketer has kept his fans guessing.
'Dhoni's reflexes has gone down'
But the truth is that Dhoni will turn 44 in July and another season of IPL is surely going to be difficult for him. Srikkanth, who was part of the Indian team that won the 1983 World Cup, said that Dhoni's fitness has come down drastically and as a result, he is struggling in the tournament.
'Dhoni is also ageing, you can't expect too much from him. But at the same time, you can't keep coming and messing it up, if you are not able to do it, say you're not able to do it and walk away. That's a call Dhoni can only take. Whether he will continue, if he continues, then in what role: captain, wicket keeper or finisher? In all fairness, his reflexes has gone down. His knees might have given up, his fitness, reflex level everything will obviously come down. And moreover, the top order is flopping' Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
'The problem with CSK today is that Dhoni is not able to replicate his own game. Spinners are tying him down. Once, he used to hit off spinners 10 rows into the stands. In all fairness, he is struggling,' he added.
'If I was Dhoni, I would say it's enough'
On ESPNCricinfo, former India batter Bangar said that if he were Dhoni, he would retire after the IPL 2025, as playing at the age of 43 is tough, even at a school level.
'At 43, it's very tough to play in that competitive environment. Leave aside this competitive environment, but even if you go and play some local cricket, you will find how tough it is on the body,' Bangar said.
'It all boils down to MS, but if I was MS, I would say it's enough. I have played whatever I wanted to play; I have looked after the interest of the franchise as well – if that was the motivation – but you know, you move on,' he added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
CSK's last IPL 2025 league match is against already-qualified Gujarat Titans (GT) on 25 May. It could well prove to be Dhoni's final IPL game.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
KL Rahul takes captaincy from Shubman Gill, India get two quick wickets: 'He has done all signals; change evident'
Just before Day 5 began with England set to resume their pursuit of 371 at 21 for no loss, the Indian cricketers got into a huddle, as most teams would do before the start of a session. What happened inside that huddle was the interesting bit. KL Rahul, one of India's most experienced cricketers in the XI now, was doing all the talking instead of captain Shubman Gill or vice-captain Rishabh Pant. It didn't bring any immediate result as Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley thwarted India's bowlers for more than a session but Rahul once again got into the act, this time in a more decisive role in the second session. India's KL Rahul reacts(Action Images via Reuters) As play began after a rain break in the second session, KL Rahul took over Shubman Gill's captaincy duties and started marshalling the troops. Suddenly, the Indian camp had a different energy. Prasidh Krishna, bowling from the end which is generally reserved for Bumrah, pitched one up against his nature and found some movement and also the outside edge of a well-settled Zak Crawley's bat. And guess who was in the slips to complete the formalities? KL Rahul, who else? India has dropped a few in this Test, but Rahul was not letting this opportunity to finally break a mammoth opening partnership go begging. The 188-run partnership was broken as India got their first breakthrough in the second innings. India vs England Live Score India's hopes of clawing their way back into the contest got another shot in the arm when Krishna, in the next over, got one to jag back in from a good length and find the gap between Ollie Pope's bat and pad. It rattled the stumps of the first-innings centurion. Rahul immediately called for a huddle and did all the talking, much like he had taken charge of the field placements for a brief period. "If you look at the field now and ask who is captaining, it will be KL Rahul. He has done all the hand signals, all the field settings. The change is evident," said former England captain Nasser Hussain in commentary. Rahul has more captaincy at the highest level than both Gill and Rishabh Pant. He has led India in all formats and is also the team's most experienced member after all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. KL Rahul's message to Shubman Gill Before the start of the Anderson-Tendulkar, Rahul had said that he would always be around Gill to help him out in the field. 'I reached out to Shubman the minute the team was announced, and when he was announced (as) the captain. (I told him) You will always find me around, any help, any guidance, if you need someone to share something with or talk to, I'm always there. But I believe you need to give people their space to really follow their gut instinct. If they need help, I'm always there,' Rahul told Sony Sports Network. On Day 5 of the first Test in Headingley, Rahul, who scored a sparkling century in India's second innings, walked the talk.
Hindustan Times
28 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Amanjot Kaur's chance to showcase all-round skills vs England
Chandigarh: It will be unfamiliar territory for all-rounder Amanjot Kaur as she turns up to play for the first time in England as India play a five-match T20I and three-match ODI series starting on June 28 in the first T20I game at Trent Bridge. Amanjot Kaur would be hoping to capitalise during the series against England with the ICC Women's World Cup just months away. (BCCI) A 24-year-old medium-pace bowler and a handy lower-order batter from Punjab, Kaur would be hoping to get used to the conditions and take to the field against formidable hosts England. Kaur, who missed the entire 2024 domestic season and also the chance of making it to the India T20 World Cup team due to injuries, would know the value of the series against England with the ICC Women's World Cup just months away. With Pooja Vastrakar, Kashvee Gautam and Renuka Thakur injured, it gives Kaur the opportunity to show her mettle in both bowling and batting departments. Known for her T20 all-round skills, Kaur turned heads with her performance for eventual champions' Mumbai Indians in the recent Women's T20 Premier League (WPL) with her bowling, sharp fielding and big-hitting abilities. 'She was really disturbed to miss out on the T20 World Cup and the domestic season due to her back and hand injuries in 2024. She felt that all the hard work she did to play for India went to waste, losing out on these chances. But then she worked on her rehab in Bangalore and saw other Indian male cricketers there to regain fitness. She understood the process and patiently worked on getting things right. And then she gave it her all in the WPL playing for MI,' said her Zirakpur-based coach Nagesh Gupta. She made her comeback in the One-Day Challenger Trophy in January. In her first match, she scored a 38 off 24 balls. In the next match, she returned 3/40 from nine overs. Although both these contributions came in a losing cause, Kaur had made a statement. The WPL performances that followed also earned her a place in the India team for the Tri-Nation Series involving hosts Sri Lanka, South Africa and India. 'This selection showed that the selectors had faith in her one-day cricket skills as well. I feel she is a great three-dimensional cricketer with fabulous bowling, fielding and batting skills. The Indian team needs such all-rounders. And with the ODI World Cup around the corner, Kaur makes a strong case for selection. But she now needs to stand up and take responsibility against England in both the T20I and ODI series. She swings the ball well and should do well in England,' said her coach Gupta. Gupta also observed that Kaur has also improved on her bowling speed and variations. Once bowling 106-108kph, she is now consistently touching 113-115kph. After the England tour, India will take on Australia in a three-match ODI series in September before the World Cup begins. Kaur was once the Chandigarh captain but shifted to Punjab in 2023 in search of better opportunities. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur had motivated her to make that switch. In the same year, she made her T20I debut in which she was named player of the match. Kaur has received the same backing from Harmanpreet even at MI. 'Every captain backs team mates. That's what Harmanpreet does. Kaur just needs to prove more in the batting department and come across as a successful all-rounder. She is now fitter and mature so should be able to capitalise on her chances and deliver the goods,' added Gupta.
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
1st Test: Rain halts England's charge as Duckett century, missed chance hurt India
Leeds: Rain halted England's spirited pursuit of 371 on Day 5 of the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, with the hosts well poised at 181 for no loss in 40.5 overs, after a sublime unbeaten century by Ben Duckett (105) and a composed 59 not out by Zak Crawley. With conditions heavily overcast throughout the day, the rain was always going to play a part, and just when India desperately needed a breakthrough, the drizzle returned, bringing out the covers and a sense of relief for the visitors. The weather had threatened to intervene all day, but brief spells of play allowed Duckett and Crawley to completely dominate an Indian bowling attack that struggled to extract movement in seamer-friendly conditions. According to Accuweather, rain remains a big factor with a 50% chance around 8 PM and hovering around 37% until 10 PM, threatening to rob England of a historic chase — and possibly saving India from an impending defeat. India's frustrations were compounded when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a crucial chance at deep square leg to dismiss Duckett on 98. It was a difficult effort, diving forward full stretch, but one that could've turned the game. Duckett, who had been clinical with his strokes and daring with his reverse sweeps, made India pay by reaching his sixth Test ton, his second against India, with a brilliant boundary, becoming only the fourth player to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test at Headingley. As rain interrupted play, England had 190 more runs to get with all ten wickets in hand. The Test hangs in the balance, but with the skies darkening, it may now be the rain god that decides the outcome of this see-saw battle. Brief scores: India 471 and 364 lead England 465 and 181/0 in 40.5 overs (Zak Crawley 59 not out, Ben Duckett 105 not out) by 190 runs.
