MS Dhoni returns to lead the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during one of their toughest IPL seasons yet. With just two points from six games, CSK are at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table. Head coach Stephen Fleming has admitted that turning things around won’t be easy, and MS Dhoni’s influential leadership won’t magically solve all problems overnight.
“His [Dhoni’s] influence will be always prominent but he’s not a soothsayer, he hasn’t got a magic wand,” Fleming said, speaking ahead of CSK’s match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
MS Dhoni’s return won’t be an instant solution, says Fleming
After being bowled out for just 103 and losing in 10.1 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders — their fifth straight defeat — CSK is under pressure to bounce back. Fleming said the team was emotionally hurt and acknowledged their lack of competitiveness in the last game.
“We’ve got to look at it in small steps and just continue to work to get better at all three facets really and then you start competing,” he said. “There’s certainly been a lot of internal soul searching… and it’s important that we put a performance out that is representative of the proud franchise that we are,”
The coach stressed that players regain confidence and rhythm on the field instead of relying on words or past glories.
Karun Nair’s knock shows power isn’t everything
Karun Nair’s recent performance highlights the value of control and precision over brute force. His calculated approach serves as a reminder that cricket is not only about hitting sixes — a sentiment echoed by Fleming.
MS Dhoni-led CSK seeks balance in batting strategy
In IPL 2025, CSK have hit only 32 sixes across six games, and none of their players have crossed 150 runs or maintained a strike rate above 150. However, Fleming played down concerns around these numbers.
“We do [talk about the sixes], but it’s not everything,” he said. “The beauty of the game is that there’s still balance between bat and ball… and I just hope the balance can remain,”
Ahead of their crucial clash with LSG, Fleming confirmed Shivam Dube is likely to return and underlined the threat posed by Nicholas Pooran.
“Yes, he [Nicholas Pooran] is very threatening. He’s the best player in the world at the moment by some distance — consistent, powerful and a real threat,” he said.
With LSG in strong form, winning three games in a row, CSK and MS Dhoni will need to dig deep to get back on track when they lock horns against LSG on 14th April in Lucknow which promises to be a cracker of a game.