Figure out the best team for next year, says Dhoni

Dhoni said that what his team needed to realise was that they were successful if they played good cricket and at the same time they were also not playing good cricket

HYDERABAD: Chennai Super Kings Captain MS Dhoni said that while they are still hopeful of making it to the knockouts of IPL 2025, if things don’t go to plan, they will use their six remaining games to figure out their best team for the next year.

Dhoni said that what his team needed to realise was that they were successful if they played good cricket and at the same time they were also not playing good cricket.

---

In the post-match interaction after CSK lost to Mumbai Indians, Dhoni said what was important was not to get too emotional about it.

“But at the same time, you want to be practical. So, there have been instances, one of the seasons, I think 2020, which was not great for us,” he said.

“With all the games in front of us that we are supposed to win, we will just take it one game at a time,” Dhoni said. ”And if we lose a few, what will be important for us to get the right combination for next year,” he added.

“We don’t want too many players getting changed,” Dhoni said. “So, I think what will be important is to try and qualify. But if not, get a secured eleven for the next year and come back strong,” he said.

“But we need to see whether we are playing the right form of cricket. Whether we are applying ourselves, trying to put the amount of runs on the board, that’s what is needed for the bowlers to save. So, those are the question marks that we have got,” Dhoni said.

On young talent Ayush Mhatre, Dhoni said that he batted really well. “And you know, that’s the kind of approach that is needed where you play your shots but at the same time, you pick the shots that are your strength,” he said.

“We also haven’t seen him much, so it’s a good sign for us. Top of the order, you can keep playing the shots, it becomes slightly easy for the middle and the lower order,” Dhoni said.