IPL 2025: ‘Why are you giving me the award?’ – MS Dhoni modest reaction steals show in CSK’s thrilling win over LSG

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IPL 2025: When a packed Ekana Stadium saw MS Dhoni walk out to bat with CSK tottering and another defeat looming large, fans rose in anticipation. They’ve seen this script before — the silence before a Dhoni storm.

And true to his legacy, the 43-year-old didn’t disappoint. His quickfire 26 off just 11 deliveries — laced with four boundaries and a towering six — snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and gifted Chennai Super Kings their much-needed second win of IPL 2025.

But it wasn’t just his bat that grabbed the spotlight — it was his trademark humility. At the post-match presentation, as Dhoni received the Player of the Match award, the legend looked more perplexed than proud. With a chuckle and a nod to his teammates, he said candidly:
“Even today, I was like, why are they giving me the award? I feel Noor Ahmad bowled well... those were the two spans, I think, where we did very well.”

A Win That Was Long Overdue

Chennai Super Kings had lost five matches heading into this clash against Lucknow Super Giants. The five-time champions were languishing at the bottom of the points table, a far cry from their reputation as perennial playoff contenders. Monday night changed the mood.

Dhoni’s late flourish, coupled with Shivam Dube’s steady 43* off 37 balls, saw CSK chase down the target in the final over — a dramatic end to what had been a tense and scratchy innings. The unbeaten partnership of 57 runs for the sixth wicket was a calm amidst the chaos.

“It’s good to win a game because when you play a tournament like this, you want to win games,” said Dhoni, reflecting on the broader context. “Unfortunately, the matches didn’t go our way... it gives a lot of confidence to the whole team.”

A Glimpse of Vintage Dhoni

There was a nostalgic sparkle in Dhoni’s eyes, not just because he turned back the clock with his bat, but also because he bagged a Player of the Match award in the IPL — his first in six long years. His last such accolade came in 2019, and while the world may have moved on, Dhoni’s aura has remained evergreen.

"It was a tough game, but glad to be on the winning side, and hopefully it will give us some momentum,” he added.

The candid admission, “Why are you giving me the award?” was classic Dhoni — forever deflecting praise and redirecting it to his team. He specifically mentioned Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, who bowled crucial overs with control and guile.

Tactical Tweaks and Straight Talk

In typical fashion, Dhoni didn’t shy away from dissecting CSK’s earlier missteps. Chennai made two key changes in the playing XI — Jamie Overton and young Shaik Rasheed were included in place of Devon Conway and Ravichandran Ashwin. Speaking on Ashwin’s omission, Dhoni offered a clear rationale.

“We were actually putting too much pressure on Ash. He has to bowl two overs on wickets that were not doing a lot and the batsmen were just expressing themselves. We made a few changes where we could have more bowlers who were able to bowl in the first six,” he explained.

The decision allowed more flexibility in the attack, especially with spinners Noor and Jadeja forming a handy middle-overs duo. “I feel this looks like a better attack. You know, there’s more manoeuvrability for the captain,” he said, sounding more like a chess grandmaster than just a skipper.

The Road Ahead: CSK Still in the Trenches

Despite the win, Chennai’s troubles are far from over. With just two victories from seven games, they remain stuck at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table. Their next challenge? A clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede — another pressure-cooker encounter in their campaign to climb back into contention.

But for now, the win has brought some much-needed smiles back into the CSK dressing room. And if Dhoni’s words are anything to go by, the team is not giving up anytime soon.

“Every player has a responsibility. We talk about that every match. Once you have made a good start, you have to play the whole innings,” Dhoni emphasised, also taking a moment to praise the young Rasheed. “Shaikh Rasheed batted well today. He has been in our team for a few years… Now he has got a good start. He can dominate the bowlers by playing normal cricket shots.”

Records, Reflections, and Resilience

In addition to the win and the Man of the Match trophy, the night saw another feather added to Dhoni’s already glittering cap — he became the first player in IPL history to notch up over 200 dismissals as a wicketkeeper. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a testament to two decades of consistent excellence behind the stumps.

Talking about the journey, Dhoni reflected, “We played badly in the powerplay in this series. We couldn’t get the start we wanted… Sometimes we lose wickets at the wrong time. All this was a reason for our team’s defeat.”

But for all the talk about flaws, pressures and underperformance, Monday night reminded fans of one important truth: as long as Dhoni is on the field, hope is never lost.

Match Summary at a Glance

• IPL 2025 | CSK vs LSG
• Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
• CSK Won by: 5 wickets
• Player of the Match: MS Dhoni – 26* (11), 4 fours, 1 six
• Next Match: CSK vs MI – April 20, 2025, Wankhede Stadium