“Are we even playing the right kind of cricket?” That’s the big question Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) legendary skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has tossed up after yet another disappointing night at the IPL. And coming from Captain Cool himself — a man known for his calm and measured words — this feels like a wake-up call, not just a post-match reflection.
The yellow brigade, which once sent shivers down the spine of every team in the league, is now struggling to even stay afloat. After being hammered by the Mumbai Indians by nine wickets on a sticky Sunday evening, the mood in the CSK camp seems more introspective than ever.
💭 A Reality Check, Straight from Dhoni
“We need to see whether we are playing the right form of cricket,” Dhoni said bluntly, urging his team to stop and reflect. He wasn’t just talking about fixing things for the next game — he had his eyes firmly set on 2026. For the Thala, it's no longer just about the present; it’s about securing the future.
This isn’t the usual "we’ll come back stronger" speech. There’s a layer of realism — even a subtle frustration — in Dhoni’s words. He hinted that some players aren’t “applying themselves” the way they should. That hurts to hear, especially from someone who’s always been the shield for his squad.
🔍 Soul-Searching Season for CSK
With six defeats from eight games and a playoff berth looking like a distant dream, CSK is now stuck in that weird in-between zone — not quite out, but barely holding on.
Dhoni knows the math, but he’s not obsessing over it. “We’ll take it one game at a time. If we lose a few, what will be important is getting the right combination for next year,” he said. That’s a big statement.
This means the rest of the 2025 season, for CSK, could become a testing ground. Not in a reckless way, but in a smart, strategic one — trying to figure out what the ‘secure eleven’ for 2026 might look like. Because in IPL, building a core is half the battle won.
🧠 Tactical Talk: What Went Wrong?
Let’s be honest — CSK's batting has been underwhelming. Whether chasing or setting targets, they’ve struggled to find that rhythm that once made them champions.
Dhoni didn’t sugarcoat anything. “We were quite below par,” he admitted. And he had his reasons. Dew was expected in the second half of the game — a known factor in many Indian venues. CSK had the opportunity to capitalize during the middle overs, but they couldn’t.
“I think once Bumrah came into the attack, that was the window to go for it,” Dhoni explained. “He’s one of the best death bowlers in the world right now. If we could’ve even scored against him, it would’ve been a bonus.” But unfortunately, the timing of the slog overs didn’t match the match situation.
💥 The Bright Spark: Young Guns Firing
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.
Enter Ayush Mhatre, the 17-year-old sensation who lit up the field with a fearless display of batting. He didn’t just play shots — he picked the right ones. That’s a rare quality for someone so young, and Dhoni was quick to acknowledge it.
“He batted really well. That’s the kind of approach we need — play your natural game but also know your strengths,” Dhoni praised. “If he keeps doing this at the top, things will get easier for the rest of the batting lineup.”
And Mhatre isn’t alone in the potential CSK revival story. There’s also 20-year-old Shaikh Rasheed, 21-year-old Dewald Brevis, and 22-year-old Vansh Bedi — all of whom could form the future backbone of the franchise.
Add to that experienced but still-young names like Rachin Ravindra (25), captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and powerhouse Shivam Dube, and you start seeing Dhoni’s vision — a balanced, young, aggressive CSK side that’s ready to turn heads in 2026.
🧩 Building the Class of 2026: Not Another ‘Dad’s Army’
Remember how people once poked fun at CSK’s squad being a ‘Dad’s Army’? Well, that tag is about to be a thing of the past.
Dhoni seems clear that he doesn’t want too many changes in the squad next year — just the right ones. “You don’t want too many players getting changed. What’s important is to find that secure eleven and come back strong,” he emphasized.
That means the management is likely going to back young blood, stick with players who show grit and game sense, and avoid frequent chopping and changing.
🎯 What Lies Ahead for CSK?
Now here’s the million-dollar question — can CSK still qualify for the playoffs this year? Technically yes, but realistically, it’s a long shot. They would need to win all of their remaining six games, hope other results go their way, and improve their net run rate — all at once.
But more than qualification, what seems to matter to Dhoni right now is evolution. This IPL season is turning into a transition phase, where every match is a trial, every player is being closely observed, and every mistake is a lesson.
And for a team that has five IPL titles under its belt, that kind of maturity — to shift focus from just results to rebuilding — shows why CSK is more than just a franchise. It’s a culture.
🎙 Final Thoughts from Thala
Even in defeat, Dhoni remained grounded and composed. “When we play good cricket, we are successful. But when we aren’t, it’s important not to get too emotional. Be practical,” he said.
Wise words. Cricket is as much a mental game as it is physical. And in IPL, where every match can swing wildly, being grounded is everything.
As the yellow army regroups and rethinks, one thing is for sure — the seeds for CSK’s future are being sown right now. The next-gen is already warming up. And with Dhoni overseeing the transition, fans can rest easy — the lions may be down, but they’re far from out.
📌 Key Takeaways:
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Dhoni questions the style of cricket being played by CSK this season.
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A clear focus on building a core for IPL 2026, not just fixing 2025.
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Young guns like Ayush Mhatre and Shaikh Rasheed are likely to form the future batting lineup.
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CSK’s playoff chances are mathematically possible, but the team is now treating each game as a step toward rebuilding.
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Dhoni wants consistency, fewer changes, and a “secure eleven” for next season.
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