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Over the years, the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has proven to be one of the best rivalries in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and MS Dhoni is one man who has featured in every single match involving these two sides.
Dhoni has, more often than not, been on the winning side and has dominated proceedings against his arch-rivals, but there have also been instances where things have not quite gone as per plan for the 43-year-old.
So, with CSK slated to play RCB not once but twice in IPL 2025, we look at three Indian RCB bowlers who could possibly have a decisive say against the former CSK and India captain in the forthcoming edition.
Less than a year ago, it was Yash Dayal who dismissed MS Dhoni in an absolute humdinger of a clash between RCB and CSK, which was a virtual quarter-final. Defending 17 off the final over for a place in the playoffs, Dayal got hit for a gigantic six - which went out of the ground - on the very first ball of the last over.
But the left-arm seamer kept his cool and foxed Dhoni with a slower delivery on the very next ball to have the last laugh. Considering Dayal’s stocks have only risen since then, it won’t be a surprise if the left-armer gets Dhoni at least once in IPL 2025.
Krunal Pandya has never dismissed MS Dhoni in the IPL, but he has a stellar record against the 43-year-old, having conceded just 17 runs in the 24 balls he’s bowled to the veteran. Krunal has just conceded one boundary against Dhoni and has maintained an economy of just 4.25 against the explosive wicketkeeper batter.
Should they come up against each other in IPL 2025, the wily left-armer will certainly fancy his chances against the veteran. One chance might be enough for Pandya to get the better of Dhoni.
This 24-year-old quick from Jammu and Kashmir is still relatively inexperienced, but he already has bagged some massive names in the IPL, such as Hardik Pandya, Rajat Patidar and Riyan Parag. There is no reason why Rasikh Salam cannot add MS Dhoni to this particular list.
The right-arm seamer’s strength lies in bowling outside the powerplay, with each of his nine wickets in the IPL coming between overs 7-20. He has also bowled close to a third of his overs at the death. Considering Dhoni’s entry points will see him predominantly bat in the 16-20 phase, there is a good chance Rasikh might pocket the 43-year-old with a yorker or a slower ball.
