New Delhi: Legendary Australian wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist was critical of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni’s decision to let left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed bowl the 19th over for the team during their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Saturday. Khaleel ended up conceding 33 runs in the over after getting smashed all around the park by Romario Shepherd.
Gilchrist felt it wasn’t the best of decisions from Dhoni to bring back Khaleel for the 19th over after the pacer was taken for 32 runs in his first two overs in the Powerplay. Shepherd launched a brutal onslaught against Khaleel in the penultimate over of RCB’s innings as he smashed four sixes and two fours off it. The West Indies all-rounder completed his fifty off just 14 balls, recording the second-fastest half-century in IPL history.
His quickfire 14-ball unbeaten 53 turned out to be the difference in the end as it lifted RCB to a strong total of 213/5 in 20 overs. Yash Dayal’s heroics in the last over helped RCB defend the total successfully to record a nail-biting 2-run victory and complete a double over CSK in IPL 2025. With the win, they also retained the top spot on the points table and moved to 16 points to all but confirm their spot in the playoffs.
Talking about Dhoni’s decision to bowl Khaleel in the 19th over against RCB, Gilchrist said he would have preferred someone like Anshul Kamboj or Ravindra Jadeja in place of the left-arm pacer.
“Tactically, I don’t know if a huge difference could have been made. Given going back to Khaleel was risky at the back end because he had gone for somewhat 32 runs in the first two overs. Maybe he could have gone to Kamboj. Given where Noor finished, Jadeja with an extra over of spin is what he could have gone with. It’s such a mixed bag. They also bowled 45 dot balls,” Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz.
Adam Gilchrist wonders if MS Dhoni is at his astute best
Gilchrist also questioned if Dhoni’s sharp cricketing brain is still functioning at its best or if the 43-year-old has lost some sheen as he heads towards his potential retirement from all forms of the game. However, the Aussie legend insisted he doesn’t want to be too critical of Dhoni’s leadership as he feels the CSK skipper was let down by some poor bowling against RCB.
“MS…he is never animated or shows any visible signs that he is upset. I just wonder if the energy is still being generated for him internally. Whether the brain is still ticking for him as astutely as it always has, as he edges closer and closer to the end. Be it this year or next year, whatever it is. I don’t want to critique his leadership harshly because I feel he has been let down by some bad bowling,” Gilchrist added.
Australia legend Adam Gilchrist criticised CSK skipper MS Dhoni while questioning his decision to let Khaleel Ahmed bowl the 19th over against RCB in IPL 2025 on Saturday. Gilchrist also wondered if Dhoni is at his astute best as a captain. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
