IPL 2025: Suresh Raina defends MS Dhoni over CSK's poor picks at the mega auction

Suresh Raina played his last season for CSK in IPL 2021.

Cricketer-turned-commentator Suresh Raina has defended MS Dhoni after Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) poor show in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Raina also feels that Dhoni did not have any say in CSK’s choice of players bought at IPL 2025 mega auction. Dhoni is currently leading the Super Kings in the tournament.

Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad was the captain of the side in the league. He was ruled out of the tournament after five games due to an elbow injury. As a result, Dhoni took the reins of the side. However, the five-time champions have completely struggled to showcase their might this season. They are the worst performers of the season and currently languish at bottom of the points table.

The five-time champions have played nine games so far in IPL 2025. They have won just two games and faced defeats in seven matches. They have four points. They lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets in their last at home with a poor show with both bat and ball.

Suresh Raina defends MS Dhoni amid CSK’s dismal show

While speaking on Star Sports after the CSK vs SRH game on Friday, April 25, former CSK legend Suresh Raina backed Dhoni after his team’s dismal form in IPL 2025. Raina believes that Dhoni can never pick players like these and can never do an auction like this.

“They (management) always make a call to MS I remember that. I was never close to the auction planning, to be very honest. I never had a discussion with the management regarding all of this. MS used to get a call sometimes, whether to get a player or not, or make a bid, but he was never fully involved. The manner with which they did this auction, you can imagine, Dhoni can never do an auction like this. He will mention the four-five players that he wants, that is it,” said Raina, who played 205 games in IPL during his active career.

Raina also heaped praise on Dhoni for his efforts to lead the side and keep the stumps at this age. He also criticized other CSK members for not helping the 43-year-old captain.

“A 43-year-old captain, who is playing as a brand and for fandom, is putting in the effort. He is keeping wickets at this age, captaining the side, taking the entire weight of the team on his shoulders. What are the other 10 players doing? The 18 crore, 17 crore, 12 crore players are not responding to the captain,” said Raina, who retired from IPL after the 2021 season,” the 38-year-old added.

Notably, CSK’s top pick at the IPL 2025 mega auction were Noor Ahmad (INR 10 crores), Ravichandran Ashwin (9.75 crores), Devon Conway (INR 6.25 crores), Khaleel Ahmed (INR 4.80 crores), Rachin Ravindra (INR 4 crores), Anshul Kamboj and Rahul Tripathi (INR 3.40 crores each). ‘

However, most of their players have struggled with their form and failed to showcase brilliant teamwork in batting and bowling. Interestingly, Dhoni bats in the lower-order and the top and middle-order batters have consistently failed to perform, putting the pressure back on the skipper.

Meanwhile, the Super Kings will next face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Wednesday, April 30, in the 49th match of IPL 2025. The encounter will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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