"What the f**k is going on"? Robin Uthappa attacks CSK Management and Ruturaj Gaikwad

MS Dhoni's batting position for Chennai Super Kings has ignited a storm of debates among the fans and cricket experts in the ongoing IPL 2025. Former cricketers, including Robin Uthappa, are left scratching their heads, wondering why MS Dhoni is coming in so late during CSK’s crucial matches.

The legendary wicketkeeper-batter came to bat at number 8 in Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2025 season opener against the Mumbai Indians, and he could open his account in the 2 balls as the hosts sealed the game by four wickets with five balls to spare at the Chepauk Stadium.

Robin Uthappa slams CSK's decision to send MS Dhoni late in the IPL 2025

But the confusion only grew louder when CSK faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their second game in Chennai. Dhoni came out at No. 9 and smashed 30 off 16 balls, but the game was already out of reach by then, as CSK suffered a crushing 50-run defeat against RCB in Chennai.

Read Also: Ravindra Jadeja stuns CSK fans with cryptic social media post after losses vs RR and RCB

And then, in the thrilling clash against the Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni walked in at No. 7 with the game hanging by a thread in Guwahati. Despite his quickfire 16 off 11 balls, Chennai Super Kings fell agonizingly short by six runs, leaving many questioning the decision to hold him back.

The move sparked outrage among the fans and cricket pundits, with Robin Uthappa expressing utter disbelief at the strategy, openly questioning the logic behind keeping Dhoni lower down the order.

F*****g frustrated: Uthappa on MS Dhoni's batting position

Uthappa couldn't hide his frustration, saying sending the former Indian skipper so late was baffling, especially when the team desperately needed someone to turn the tide.

Robin Uthappa said on The KimAppa show with cricket analyst Jarrod Kimber: “Frustrated. F*****g frustrated. What the f**k is going on, dude! He might as well have (batted even lower than No. 9). It wouldn’t have made a difference. I would say ‘befuddlement’ is too weak a term. What the heck! Like, what is the thinking? Because you know you won’t win the game by the time he’s coming to bat.”

Robin Uthappa added, “By the time (Ravichandran) Ashwin’s coming to bat, you know you have less than a slim chance of winning the game. The only thing you can do to give yourself the best chance is to reduce that net run rate. The margins in the IPL are so slim at the back end that you want to keep your net run rate as much in the positive as possible, right?”

Read Also: Watch- Pat Cummins instills Australian mentality in SRH dressing room!! 300 runs loading in the next match

Robin Uthappa blasts MS Dhoni’s lower-order drama

The former Indian batter believes that MS Dhoni should have batted higher against RCB, especially when the asking rate had soared. He felt that with the run rate climbing rapidly around the 13th and 14th overs, it made no sense for Dhoni to come in so late.

Uthappa was puzzled by the decision, as the situation clearly demanded the legendary cricketer to stabilize the chase, but he came out much later, leaving one and all questioning CSK’s strategy. With CSK struggling to keep up with the required rate in the ongoing 2025 season, Uthappa felt that Dhoni’s delayed entry didn’t help the team's chances.

The former CSK batter signed off by saying, “I am wondering what’s the thinking behind this because it doesn’t augur well for CSK.”