MS Dhoni's captaincy criticized by Adam Gilchrist following narrow defeat to RCB in IPL 2025

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has raised questions over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni during the IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Gilchrist questioned whether MS Dhoni’s tactical brain is still as sharp as it used to be after the defeat in Bengaluru.

The MS Dhoni-led team lost by two runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 3. It was the first time Bengaluru had completed a double over CSK in a single IPL season. CSK are at the bottom of the 10-team points table, with just four points in 11 matches.

Maybe He Could Have Gone to Anshul Kambhoj - Adam Gilchrist

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Adam Gilchrist questioned MS Dhoni's decision to bowl Khaleel Ahmed in the 19th over, especially after Khaleel had conceded 32 runs in his first two overs. Gilchrist said that Dhoni might have considered other options, like Anshul Kamboj, Sam Curran, and Ravindra Jadeja.

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"Tactically, I don't know if a huge difference could have been made. Given going back to Khaleel was risky at the back end because he had gone for somewhat 32 runs in the first two overs. Maybe he could have gone to Kambhoj. Given where Noor finished, Jadeja with an extra over of spin is what he could have gone with. It's such a mixed bag. They also bowled 45 dot balls," Gilchrist said.

Khaleel Ahmed conceded 33 runs in the 19th over. The left-arm pacer ended with figures of 0-65 from three overs, with an economy rate of 21.70. Romario Shepherd hit 33 runs in the penultimate over, including a six off a no-ball.

He Has Been Let Down by Some Bad Bowling - Adam Gilchrist

Gilchrist said that Dhoni is usually composed and doesn't show visible signs of frustration. The legendary gloveman added that he didn’t want to criticize Dhoni's leadership too harshly, but he has been let down by some bad bowling.

"MS...he is never animated or shows any visible signs that he is upset. I just wonder if the energy is still being generated for him internally," Gilchrist stated.

"Whether the brain is still ticking for him as astutely as it always has, as he edges closer and closer to the end. Be it this year or next year, whatever it is. I don't want to critique his leadership harshly because I feel he has been let down by some bad bowling," he added.

MS Dhoni Never Used to Miss Those - Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist said that the 43-year-old wicketkeeper-batter would never have missed such a delivery in his prime. He emphasized that Dhoni had previously been able to effortlessly hit such balls.

"Even MS, just a sign of where he is at. Just to miss that one...effectively it was a full toss. He never used to miss those...used to just pick them up," he said.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru set a challenging target of 214 runs. MS Dhoni managed to score 12 runs off 8 balls, including one six, before being dismissed by Yash Dayal in the final over. CSK finished at 211/5 and lost the match by just two runs.

Also read: Watch: MS Dhoni takes matters into his own hands during bat inspection; Umpiring fraud stopped