Kris Srikkanth, a former Indian cricketer, said that MS Dhoni should "walk away" from the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he can't meet the needs of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). IPL 2025 is especially upsetting because CSK has not made it to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time, and Dhoni will turn 44 in July.

Dhoni has had a difficult season except for his 26-run Player of the Match display against the Lucknow Super Giants last month. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, he scored just 16 from 17 balls in CSK's most recent match against the Rajasthan Royals on May 20. The team lost by six wickets.

Srikkanth pointed out that age has visibly impacted Dhoni’s reflexes and fitness.

“Dhoni is also ageing; you can’t expect too much from him. But at the same time, you can’t keep coming and messing it up, if you cannot do it, say you’re not able to do it and walk away. That’s a call Dhoni can only take. Whether he will continue, if he continues, then in what role: captain, wicket keeper or finisher?” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

“In all fairness, his reflexes have gone down. His knees might have given up, his fitness, reflex level, everything will obviously come down. Moreover, the top order is flopping,” Srikkanth said.

Srikkanth, who represented India in 146 ODIs and 43 Test matches between 1981 and 1992, noted that Dhoni's game has been significantly impacted by aging. He added that Dhoni, who was formerly renowned for his ability to dominate spin bowlers, has had a difficult season against them.

“The problem with CSK today is that Dhoni cannot replicate his own game. Spinners are tying him down. Once, he used to hit off spinners 10 rows into the stands. In all fairness, he is struggling,” Srikkanth added.

CSK have one game left in IPL 2025, against Gujarat Titans on May 25 in Ahmedabad.