Harbhajan Singh was studious in his analysis of MS Dhoni’s recent form in the IPL as he stated that the CSK legend is in danger of tarnishing his legacy. This comes after MS Dhoni, playing with worn out knees, is no longer the batter who can finish off matches with huge hits.

He might be as sharp as before behind the stumps, but Dhoni is clearly struggling in a team that is all over the place when devising strategies and planning team combinations.

Dhoni has chosen to bat as lower down the order as possible, which isn't ideal for him or the club, and, more significantly, his inability to finish games - something he made a career out of - is jeopardizing his legacy at this point in his career.

In CSK’s loss to RCB in Chepauk, MS Dhoni batted at no.9 when the match was lost but scored an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls. Against RR, MS Dhoni came to bat in at no.7 and was out for 16 runs, as CSK lost by 6 runs.

The main issue, however, appears to be Dhoni. In a squad that is struggling to find the proper combinations, Harbhajan Singh believes CSK's muddled approach with its greatest legend is costing the club dearly, and he gave some facts to demonstrate that the legendary MS Dhoni is no longer the force he once was.

"I would like to present some stats. Dhoni sahab bahut bade khiladi hain, par jab who aaye hain, match khatam ho chuka tha (Dhoni has been a great player, but by the time he came out to bat, the match was all but over). Whenever Dhoni has chased since IPL 2023 in winning causes, he has scored just 3 runs in 9 balls, without a single boundary or six. But in losing causes, Dhoni has scored 166 runs in 84 balls with 13 fours and 13 sixes. This means that Dhoni averages just 8 in matches CSK have won, while in the games lost, his average is 49. Who wants to watch matches lost? And this, I think, is a major issue CSK needs to fix," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.]

Harbhajan commented on several other issues he believes are dragging CSK down, beginning with Gaikwad batting in the middle order and the omission of Devon Conway from the Playing XI. 

CSK has had better success when opening with Gaikwad and Conway, but with neither's role constrained, the former India spinner is unable to make sense of the squad composition.

"Gaikwad has pushed himself down. He is such a good opener, a successful opener. CSK have always had very good openers – be it Matthew Hayden or Brendon McCullum, or Devon Conway. Which reminds me he is in the squad too, but he's not playing. I can't figure out how they're making this team. They have preferred Craig Overton over Conway when they have such a good stock of Indian bowlers," Harbhajan pointed out.

"Make these guys play higher, and keep Rachin Ravindra Jadeja. Then at least, their batting would look strong. Right now, it's like when Shivam Dube gets out, it feels as if it's all over. They have no batter who at can hit fours and sixes. Ruturaj played well, but he lacked intent. Even Jadeja's innings was slow. He too, couldn't strike those big shots," he added.

CSK and RR will both be in action on April 5 as CSK takes on DC at home in a day game and RR clash with PBKS in Mullanpur in night.