Kris Srikkanth Urges MS Dhoni to Consider Retirement from IPL Amid Struggles

In a recent discussion, former cricketer Kris Srikkanth urged MS Dhoni to consider retiring from the IPL if he cannot meet the expectations of the Chennai Super Kings. Following a disappointing season, where CSK has faced ten defeats, Srikkanth highlighted Dhoni's struggles with fitness and performance. He emphasized the need for Dhoni to evaluate his future role within the team. As CSK sits at the bottom of the IPL standings, the team aims to finish the season positively against the Gujarat Titans. This situation raises questions about Dhoni's impact on the team's overall performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 21, 2025, 18:23 IST

Kris Srikkanth's Advice to MS Dhoni

Kris Srikkanth, a former Indian cricketer and current chief selector for the BCCI, has suggested that MS Dhoni should consider stepping away from the IPL if he cannot fulfill the expectations of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This statement followed CSK's recent defeat against the Rajasthan Royals, marking their tenth loss in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.

In the match held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on May 20, CSK set a target of 188 runs but fell short, losing by six wickets as the Royals successfully chased down the score in just 17.1 overs. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was instrumental in the chase, scoring 57 runs off 33 balls, while Sanju Samson contributed 41 runs. Other notable performances came from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, who scored 36 and 31 runs respectively.

CSK's Disappointing Season

With this latest defeat, CSK has equaled their worst performance since returning to the IPL in 2018, mirroring their struggles in 2022 when they ended the season with only four wins against ten losses.

Criticism from Kris Srikkanth

On his YouTube channel 'Cheeky Cheeka', Srikkanth expressed his concerns about Dhoni's performance, urging him to stop hindering the team's progress if he is unable to perform. He emphasized that at 43 years old, Dhoni should evaluate his future in the sport, particularly given his ongoing knee issues that have affected his agility and overall game.

"Dhoni is aging, and while we can't expect too much from him, he must acknowledge when he cannot contribute effectively and consider stepping back," Srikkanth remarked. He further questioned Dhoni's role moving forward, whether as captain, wicketkeeper, or finisher, noting that his reflexes and fitness have declined.

Impact of Dhoni's Performance on CSK

Srikkanth also pointed out that Dhoni's inability to perform at his previous level is detrimental to the team's overall dynamics. He noted that spinners are successfully restricting Dhoni, who once dominated them effortlessly.

Currently, CSK is at the bottom of the IPL 2025 standings, having won only three matches out of thirteen, accumulating a mere six points. They will aim to end their disappointing season on a high note against the Gujarat Titans on May 25.

Throughout IPL 2025, Dhoni has scored 196 runs with an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17 across 13 matches.