IPL 2025: Will MS Dhoni bat higher against RR? Fans debate after No. 9 batting position vs RCB

A lot has happened since Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk. Chasing a challenging target of 197, CSK struggled as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Their situation worsened when, with 7.1 overs remaining and 117 runs still needed, R. Ashwin walked out to bat instead of the legendary finisher, MS Dhoni.

Dhoni's arrival at No. 9¡ªwhen the match was already out of reach¡ªcreated an uncomfortable spectacle, sparking widespread criticism and backlash. Now, with just a day's break, CSK has regrouped and is set to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 11 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, with the biggest question online: where will Dhoni bat?

Where will MS Dhoni bat against RR?

Ahead of this clash, many fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to debate whether Dhoni would once again come in at No. 9 or if there would be a change. One fan wrote, "It'll be very disappointing if the same situation arises tonight and Dhoni does the same thing he did last match."

It'll be very disappointing if the same situation arises tonight and Dhoni does the same thing he did last match ???

¡ª Gin-chan (@delusional_mf69) March 30, 2025

Another said, "Shocking to see that Dhoni still wants fame even after captaining India to three World Cup victories. To be honest, he puts Chennai Super Kings on the backfoot so many times¡ªnot just last match¡ªjust for the sake of hitting a few sixes to grab the limelight."

Shocking to see that Dhoni still wants fame after captaining Indian cricketing team winning 3 world cups and to be honest he puts chennai super kings on backfoot so many times not only last match just the sake of two three sixes to get lime light.@cricketaakash

¡ª Just cricket (@55_cricket54255) March 29, 2025

One user joked, "After this, Dhoni will send [coach] Fleming to bat before him." (This came in response to another user's comment predicting a surprise move from CSK coach Stephen Fleming.)

After this statement Dhoni will send flem before him to bat https://t.co/PC8V3zvKVH

¡ª Vanny (@vannnyjj) March 30, 2025

Another suggested lineup changes for CSK: "Ahead of today's #RRvCSK game, CSK should make the following changes:
1. Ruturaj should open with Ravindra.
2. If Rahul Tripathi is in the squad, he should bat at No. 3.
3. Dhoni should bat at No. 6."

Ahead of today's game in #RRvCSK

Below change is required for #CSK
1.Rituraj should open with Ravindra
2.if Rahul Tripathi is part of the team should be sent to no.3
3. Dhoni should bat @6

¡ª chanchal ghosh (@chancha93215472) March 30, 2025

One fan simply added, "If I were Dhoni, I¡¯d love to bat at No. 6 at least."

If I would be Dhoni, I would love to bat at 6 atleast#CSK #IPL2025 #Dhoni https://t.co/5zbvwyzL6V

¡ª Ritik Sharma (@imritik45) March 30, 2025

Squads:

Chennai Super Kings squad: Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed, Shreyas Gopal, Devon Conway, Mukesh Choudhary, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Andre Siddarth C, Vansh Bedi

Rajasthan Royals squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag(c), Nitish Rana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhruv Jurel(w), Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Kunal Singh Rathore, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Ashok Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi

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