IPL 2025: "He is trying to hit as many sixes as possible" CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad shares insights on MS Dhoni's approach

MS Dhoni was retained as an uncapped player by CSK before IPL 2025 mega auction.

On Saturday, March 22, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad mentioned that veteran wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni is focusing on his big-hitting skills ahead of CSK’s season opener against Mumbai Indians (MI), which will be played on Sunday, March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Nearing the end of his playing career, Dhoni has limited himself to the role of a late dasher for CSK in the final overs. He was earlier retained by the franchise as an uncapped player before the IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 4 crores.

He had an excellent IPL 2024, scoring 161 runs in the season at a strike rate of 220.

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad shares insights on MS Dhoni’s approach

Speaking before CSK’s first match of IPL 2025 against MI, Gaikwad emphasized that Dhoni is focusing on hitting as many sixes as possible in training.

He said, “I think his training is very much limited to whatever he tries to achieve. Or whatever his role would be in the IPL. So, it is pretty much very simple, focused on trying to hit as much as sixes as possible and trying to get the right swing, trying to be in the best shape.“

“That is what I think initially he was trying to do. And then I never thought he was out of shape even on the first day. So, I think obviously he is special – he’s done it for so many years.“

It remains to be seen if CSK will promote Dhoni up the batting order to maximize his six-hitting ability or if his role will remain the same as in the last couple of IPL editions.

Dhoni will also play a crucial role behind the stumps with CSK’s spin-heavy bowling lineup, consisting of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Noor Ahmad, and Shreyas Gopal.

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