'Captaincy Is At Times Overrated': Ex-India Cricketer Doesn't Mince Words, Gives Blunt Verdict On MS Dhoni's IPL Future

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni's future in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League currently remains under the spotlight. Every year, it feels like the legendary captain will walk away from the game once and for all, but he returns every time to play in the iconic Chennai Super Kings (CSK) yellow. MS Dhoni's skills as a keeper are still unmatched; there are no second thoughts about it, but is he still as effective as a batter who was once a finisher of mythical proportions? The answer to this question is 'no'. As bitter as it may sound, Dhoni's knees don't seem to be serving him well at this point in time. 

By his own admission, Dhoni has let the secret out at this point and age in his cricketing career; his body demands a lot of maintenance, and it has somehow survived through the course of IPL 2024 might be a typo since the current edition is IPL 2025, consider changing it to "has survived so far in his career".

Atul Wassan Compares MS Dhoni To Clive Lloyd

Apart from MS Dhoni's batting woes, his team Chennai Super Kings hasn't quite been able to live up to its reputation. The five-time champions have finished at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table for the very first time. Though questions have been asked about MSD's leadership qualities, a skill that went a long way in India winning three ICC trophies under him.

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has given a very sharp and logical take on Dhoni's captaincy and has in many ways shut down his critics. 'A captain is as good as the team he gets; if I give the Zimbabwe team to Clive Lloyd, he won't be good either. Dhoni's captaincy should be rated based on the team he got; when he had the team in the past, we all know what he did. In my opinion, captaincy is at times overrated', said Wassan while speaking on the Bails and Banter Show on OTTPlay.

Wassan also added that everybody knows that MSD is not at his 100 percent, but it is his dedication and love towards the franchise that keeps him pushing. The former India cricketer also said that it wouldn't be a surprise if Dhoni returns to play the IPL next year too

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Chennai Super Kings' Dismal Show Shatters Big MS Dhoni Record

Chennai Super Kings never found their footing in the ongoing eighteenth edition of the Indian Premier League. They have not just finished last for the first time in the history of the IPL, but this is also the first time that two consecutive IPL Finals will be played without the presence of MS Dhoni in them. The last time CSK played a final was in 2023 against the Gujarat Titans. The Chennai-based franchise had beaten the then-defending champions Gujarat to clinch their fifth IPL Trophy.

ALSO READ | 'It Needs Lot Of Maintenance': MS Dhoni Gives Big Update On His Fitness Levels As Fans Speculate His Retirement After IPL 2025