Former cricketer and pundit Aakash Chopra has urged Chennai Super Kings and their new captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, to win the IPL 2025 trophy for MS Dhoni if this turns out to be his final season.
Chopra’s Call for a CSK Victory in Dhoni’s Honor
On his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted the immense opportunity Ruturaj Gaikwad has as CSK’s new leader. However, he also emphasized the weight of expectations that comes with the role.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad has the chance to lead an incredible franchise. When Dhoni personally handed him the captaincy, the fans welcomed him with love and respect. But now, he must uphold CSK’s rich legacy. The pressure is real. Even though the first season under his leadership might not have gone well and they didn’t qualify, the team still backs him,” Chopra said.
With IPL 2025 potentially being MS Dhoni’s last season, Chopra believes it’s the perfect moment for Ruturaj to deliver a title as a farewell tribute to the legendary skipper.
“If a powerhouse like Chennai keeps underperforming, fails to reach the finals, or doesn’t lift the trophy, the pressure will mount. We don’t know how many more years Dhoni will play, but if this is indeed his last dance, CSK must bid him farewell with a championship win. This season presents a massive opportunity for Ruturaj Gaikwad,” Chopra added.
CSK’s Strengths and Weaknesses
While acknowledging CSK’s overall strength, Chopra pointed out a minor flaw—lack of firepower in their lineup. He also raised concerns about Ravindra Jadeja’s ability to bring the required explosiveness to IPL matches.
“CSK doesn’t have too many weaknesses. Their squad looks solid, but they might be missing some firepower. Shivam Dube is a legitimate finisher, and Dhoni provides late-order hitting, but he usually doesn’t come to bat before the 17th over,” Chopra observed.
He further analyzed the team’s batting approach, suggesting that some players are more accumulators than power hitters.
“Jadeja hasn’t quite showcased the power-hitting needed in T20 games. You may see Rahul Tripathi and Devon Conway in the lineup, but they are more grafting batters than outright strikers. I had to dig deep to find challenges, but this could be one area CSK needs to address,” he concluded.
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