MS Dhoni can no longer pull rabbits put of his hat while batting, the way he once did. The massive sixes that he once hit effortlessly are now occasional flashes of nostalgia rather than match-turning moments. In the 18th year of the IPL, his presence at the crease is more about spectacle than impact. When he walks out to bat, no matter the situation or position, the stadium erupts in a way no other cricketer can command—not even a Virat Kohli or a Rohit Sharma.
After the much-debated No. 9 experiment, Dhoni returned to his natural batting position at No. 7 in a game against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday night. His 16 runs off balls weren’t remarkable. Some shots were smooth as butter, while some were mis-hits. But that was never the point. The moment he stepped out on to the field, fans went wild. For this franchise, one wicket is never mourned and that is the one before Dhoni walks out.
Apart from Kohli and RCB, no other cricketer has been this deeply intertwined with a franchise’s identity. CSK is a cult and at the heart of it is one man. Even if his impact as a player slowly diminishes, his brand remains unparalleled and untouched. Every time the 43-year-old takes strike, millions tune in to watch the broadcast, social media explodes and commentators shift from analysis to reminiscence.
When it comes to Dhoni’s impact on the team, he is no longer the best batter or the finisher. He isn’t the captain but he remains their most valuable asset. In a tournament like the IPL, the brand matters just as much as winning matches, if not more. Certain franchises have thrived on loyalty, nostalgia and superstar power, and Dhoni brings all three to the table.
Nonetheless, fans miss the ruthless and courageous Dhoni that once was. Under his own leadership, he was calculated and made the coldest decisions to maximise CSK’s chances to win, even if it meant trusting youth over legacy.
It’s interesting to ponder. Would Dhoni, the captain, have allowed Dhoni, the player, to bat at No. 9? Highly unlikely, but when you have Dhoni the brand, the franchise, players and fans operate with a different set of rules.
While we debate his diminishing impact as a finisher, there is one place where Dhoni’s impact remains unparalleled—behind the stumps. His wicketkeeping reflexes are unmatched, with lightning-fast stumpings and sharp DRS calls still a regular sight. That is where his legacy remains untouched.
CSK’s biggest challenge isn’t replacing Dhoni the captain, the finisher or even the wicketkeeper. It is about preparing for an IPL without Dhoni, the brand. Because when he finally walks off the field for the last time, it won’t just leave a gap in the batting lineup or leadership group – it will leave a void at the heart of CSK’s very identity.