Aaron Finch Encourages Fans to Support MS Dhoni Amid CSK's IPL Struggles

Support MS Dhoni Despite CSK's Challenges

Aaron Finch, the former captain of Australia, has called on cricket enthusiasts to seize the opportunity to watch MS Dhoni play, even as the Chennai Super Kings face difficulties in IPL 2025.

Chennai Super Kings have become the first team to exit the IPL 2025 playoffs, marking a disappointing season for the five-time champions. Nevertheless, Finch urges fans to rally behind the legendary Indian captain.

Discussing CSK's performance and the pressure on Dhoni, Finch emphasized the emotional and sporting importance of the celebrated wicketkeeper-batter.

“When Dhoni stepped down from captaincy a few years back, I doubt he anticipated facing such challenges again. Unfortunately, this season has not favored CSK. At 43, MS is not playing much cricket outside the IPL, but every moment he spends on the field is enchanting. The atmosphere when he exits the dressing room and when he comes to bat is extraordinary,” Finch remarked during a segment on JioStar.

He made a heartfelt plea to fans globally, encouraging them to appreciate MS Dhoni's presence while he is still active in the game.

“I urge every cricket fan. If possible, attend a CSK match while MS Dhoni is still playing,” he stated.

'CSK Needs to Reassess Their Strategy': Finch Critiques Team Decisions

While Finch praised Dhoni, he did not hesitate to critique the performance and strategic choices of Chennai this season. He noted several mistakes in batting, bowling, and fielding, suggesting that CSK needs a thorough reassessment.

“If CSK acknowledges that things have not gone well, then they must return to the drawing board. I am surprised Nathan Ellis hasn’t been utilized more frequently. He is a world-class bowler capable of excelling in all phases. On the other hand, Pathirana has struggled and is not executing as effectively as before,” Finch commented.

Finch also highlighted CSK's issues with finishing games and fielding:

“CSK has struggled to finish innings effectively; adding just 20 more runs today could have changed the outcome significantly. I believed they had set a competitive total until the heavy dew arrived late in the game. Overall, the fielding has been subpar, with missed catches putting them at a disadvantage. When that occurs, a near-perfect performance is required to secure a win,” he added.

Also READ: Shreyas Iyer punished for code of conduct breach during CSK vs PBKS

Despite being out of playoff contention, the five-time champions now have the chance to disrupt other teams' playoff aspirations. They are set to return to the field on May 3, facing the current leaders, RCB, at Chinnaswamy Stadium.