Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed serious reservations about the prospect of MS Dhoni making a surprise comeback for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their must-win IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chepauk on Monday. Speaking to JioStar, Gavaskar argued that Dhoni — absent from competitive cricket for over a year — would not want to risk disrupting a settled combination at such a critical stage of the tournament.

Gavaskar's Case Against Dhoni's Return

'The match against SRH is a crucial one for CSK. It's their last home game at Chepauk, so naturally fans want to see MS Dhoni play. But he hasn't featured at all this season. In fact, he hasn't played competitive cricket for over a year. So, I doubt he would want to take such a risk at this stage,' Gavaskar said.

He elaborated that playoff-stage cricket demands match-ready players who have been in rhythm for weeks, not those returning from extended breaks. 'You need players who have been match-fit and playing regularly for the last six weeks. Dhoni is a complete team-man. I don't think he would want to disrupt the current combination. I would be very surprised if he plays against SRH,' Gavaskar added. 'Bringing in a player who hasn't played in over a year could be a gamble' — particularly in a game CSK must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Riyan Parag's 'Suicidal' Bowling Call Draws Fire

Gavaskar also turned his attention to Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag, sharply criticising the decision to hand the ball to Donovan Ferreira during the 18th over of their defeat to Delhi Capitals on Sunday.

'Handing the ball to Donovan Ferreira to bowl the 18th over was a suicidal move. You are bringing a slow bowler on a pitch offering him no help. He was just bowling in the slot. It was his first over of the match. He had also scored a golden duck with the bat,' Gavaskar said. Ferreira conceded 16 runs in that over, a moment Gavaskar described as effectively deciding the match. 'Done and dusted,' he remarked.

He argued that even a regular bowler leaking 20 runs would have been a more defensible call. 'At that crucial stage, giving the ball to Donovan Ferreira was a suicidal decision by Rajasthan Royals,' he said.

Starc's Death-Over Brilliance Praised

Delhi Capitals seamer Mitchell Starc drew high praise from Gavaskar for his game-changing spell at the death, which produced a four-wicket burst and restricted Rajasthan Royals to 193/8 after they had looked set to breach 200.

'Mitchell Starc didn't have a great powerplay. But when he came back at the death, he bowled with great control. He didn't let the Rajasthan batters free their arms. He choked the runs and picked up crucial wickets. Those wickets turned the match in Delhi's favour,' Gavaskar said. Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul then anchored the chase with a composed 56 off 42 balls, sealing a five-wicket victory for Delhi.

Playoff Race: Punjab Kings Still in the Hunt

With the playoff picture tightening, Gavaskar suggested Punjab Kings remain firmly in contention despite their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — largely because of Rajasthan Royals' tendency to squander winning positions.

'I wouldn't be surprised to see Punjab Kings make the playoffs because teams like Rajasthan Royals are doing their best not to qualify,' he remarked. He noted that a Punjab win in their next game could take them to 15 points, potentially enough to qualify depending on CSK's results. 'If CSK lose one match, then Punjab have a very real chance of qualifying,' he said.

With CSK's home campaign ending against SRH, Monday's fixture at Chepauk shapes up as one of the most consequential evenings of the IPL 2025 season — and Gavaskar's verdict is clear: Dhoni watching from the dugout is the smarter bet.