Vintage MS Dhoni lit up Ekana stadium and help Chennai Super Kings break losing streak in IPL 2025. MS Dhoni unbeaten 26 off 11 balls saw CSK beat LSG by 5 wickets and 3 balls to spare. Also joining the conversation was LSG skipper Rishabh Pant the picture of the moment has gone viral on social media.
Following the match Dhoni shared a warm exchange with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, for whom he once captained the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants.Dhoni was sacked as the captain of RPS after they finished second from bottom in 2016.
RPSG was one of the teams that featured in the IPL for two seasons, alongside Gujarat Lions, after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were banned from the tournament in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Vintage Dhoni breaks CSK' losing streak
Dhoni had done what he’s done for nearly two decades—turned the tide when it mattered most. With Chennai staring at a sixth consecutive loss, the seasoned finisher walked in during the 16th over and immediately changed the tempo of the chase. After a watchful start, Dhoni unleashed his trademark fireworks, smashing 26 off just 11 deliveries, including four boundaries and a one-handed six that electrified the stadium.
With 31 runs needed from the final three overs, Dhoni's assault on Shardul Thakur (19 runs) tilted the match decisively in CSK’s favor. Shivam Dube eventually sealed the victory with a crunching cover drive off Avesh Khan, but it was Dhoni's late blitz that laid the foundation.
Post-match, Dhoni didn’t hold back in his assessment of the conditions, urging the IPL authorities to ensure better pitches that allow for free-flowing strokeplay.
“One of the reasons could be that the Chennai wicket is slightly on the slower side,” Dhoni said. “When we’ve played away, our batters have looked more comfortable. We need pitches that allow confident shot-making you don’t want to play timid cricket.”
