In a thrilling IPL 2025 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), CSK finally broke their five-match losing streak with a five-wicket win. While many expected Shivam Dubey, who played a steady and unbeaten innings of 43 runs, to bag the Player of the Match award, it was MS Dhoni who walked away with the honors.
So, why did Dhoni win despite scoring fewer runs? Here's the breakdown:
✅ Dhoni’s Game-Changing Impact
When Dhoni came in to bat, CSK needed 56 runs from 30 balls—a pressure situation. Dhoni turned the tide with a blistering 26 not out off just 11 balls, maintaining a strike rate of over 236. His finishing ability tilted the game decisively in CSK’s favor.
But that's not all.
🧤 His Fielding Masterclass
Before his explosive batting, Dhoni made a huge impact behind the stumps:
- 1 Catch: Dismissed Rishabh Pant
- 1 Stumping: Ayush Badoni
- 1 Run-Out: Abdul Samad (with a direct throw)
Each of these dismissals was crucial and removed dangerous batters at key moments.
📊 The Points-Based Perspective
Let’s understand how impact is measured in such awards:
| Contribution | Points Given |
|---|---|
| 1 Run | 1 Point |
| 1 Catch/Stumping/Run-out | 20 Points each |
Dhoni’s total points:
- 26 runs = 26 points
- 1 catch = 20
- 1 stumping = 20
- 1 run-out = 20
Total = 86 points
Dubey’s total points:
- 43 runs = 43 points
- No fielding contribution
Total = 43 points
Clearly, Dhoni's all-round performance doubled the impact compared to Dubey’s.
🧠 Who Decides 'Player of the Match'?
The award is decided by a panel of experts—usually broadcasters, commentators, or match officials. They assess:
- Match context
- Pressure situation performance
- All-round impact (bat, ball, field)
- Not just raw numbers, but when and how a player delivered
In this case, Dhoni’s experience, clutch performance, and wicketkeeping heroics made him the obvious choice.
🟡 In Short:
- Dubey played a solid innings but with a lower strike rate and no fielding input.
- Dhoni contributed with both bat and gloves in high-pressure moments.
- His total match impact was significantly higher, justifying his selection for the award.
