{"id":10633,"date":"2026-05-18T09:13:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/gavaskar-warns-against-risking-dhoni-vs-srh-after-long-layoff"},"modified":"2026-05-18T09:13:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:13:44","slug":"gavaskar-warns-against-risking-dhoni-vs-srh-after-long-layoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/gavaskar-warns-against-risking-dhoni-vs-srh-after-long-layoff","title":{"rendered":"Gavaskar Warns Against Risking Dhoni vs SRH After Long Layoff"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Chennai Super Kings set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad, former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has cast doubt on whether MS Dhoni will be risked in the playing XI. Gavaskar suggested that bringing the wicketkeeper-batter back after a long absence could be \u201ca gamble\u201d at this stage, especially with CSK\u2019s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.<\/p>\n

Gavaskar\u2019s view ahead of CSK vs SRH<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Gavaskar said Dhoni\u2019s inclusion could be a gamble, arguing that the team would prefer not to disturb a settled combination.<\/li>\n
  2. He pointed out that Dhoni missed the entire campaign due to a calf issue and has not turned out in any competitive cricket for a full year, noting that this makes a late call-up harder to justify.<\/li>\n
  3. He highlighted that CSK have two matches against SRH and then face GT later, with those fixtures viewed as vital for their qualification chances.<\/li>\n
  4. Gavaskar added that for a high-stakes encounter, CSK will need players who are match fit and have shown consistency in recent weeks.<\/li>\n
  5. He described Dhoni as a \u201cteam man\u201d and said the veteran is unlikely to want to disrupt the current unit that has delivered results for CSK this season.<\/li>\n
  6. In closing, Gavaskar said he would be surprised to see Dhoni play against SRH, labelling the contest a \u201cmust-win\u201d for CSK\u2014one where a player who has been away for over a year may not be the safest option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Gavaskar also underlined the context for supporters at Chepauk, calling the clash CSK\u2019s last home game of the season and noting that fans would naturally want Dhoni to feature. However, he reiterated that Dhoni has not appeared at all this season and has not been involved in competitive action for more than a year, making a return at this point difficult to envisage.<\/p>\n

    Dhoni\u2019s recent training provides a contrasting note, with reports indicating that he trained for 30 to 40 minutes on Sunday, working with throwdowns and spinners. Still, Gavaskar\u2019s argument remained that the team\u2019s immediate needs call for proven match rhythm rather than a sudden reshuffle.<\/p>\n

    Dhoni\u2019s IPL record and recent season numbers<\/h2>\n

    Across 278 IPL matches, Dhoni has amassed 5,439 runs in 242 innings at an average of 38.30, striking at 137.45. His tally includes 24 half-centuries, and his highest score in the tournament stands at 84 not out. He also ranks as the seventh-highest run-scorer in IPL history.<\/p>\n

    In the most recent season where CSK finished at the bottom of the table, Dhoni contributed 196 runs from 13 innings, averaging 24.50 with a strike rate above 135. His best effort that year was 30 not out.<\/p>\n

    Contract updates for the next IPL cycles<\/h2>\n

    Dhoni was retained by the Super Kings as an \u201cuncapped player\u201d ahead of IPL 2025 with a salary of Rs 4 crore. That retention was extended for IPL 2026 as well, with his remuneration kept unchanged at Rs 4 crore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    With the Chennai Super Kings set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad, former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has cast doubt on whether MS Dhoni will be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"CSK vs SRH: Gavaskar Warns on Dhoni Selection Risk","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Sunil Gavaskar questions CSK\u2019s decision to play MS Dhoni vs SRH after a long layoff, calling it a risky gamble amid playoff pressure.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\nCSK vs SRH: Gavaskar Warns on Dhoni Selection Risk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sunil Gavaskar questions CSK\u2019s decision to play MS Dhoni vs SRH after a long layoff, calling it a risky gamble amid playoff pressure.\" \/>\n<meta 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