MS Dhoni left everyone stunned with a brilliant stumping to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav during the IPL 2025 encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians on Sunday. The former Indian cricket team skipper is well known for his sensational glovework behind the stumps and this was yet another example of his brilliance.
During the 11th over of the MI innings, Suryakumar was beaten by a flighted delivery from Noor Ahmad. Even before he could complete his bat swing, Dhoni completed the stumping. The lighting quick stumping was vintage Dhoni and it left both fans and experts impressed.
A four-wicket haul from Noor Ahmed and a sensational powerplay spell by Khaleel Ahmed helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) restrict Mumbai Indians (MI) to 155/9 in 20 overs during their highly-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign opener at Chepauk Stadium on Sunday.
A 51-run stand between skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma for the fourth wicket after being reduced to 36/3 and a fine cameo by Deepak Chahar pushed MI to a respectable total, while spinner Noor impressed in his debut outing in yellow.
After CSK won the toss and opted to field first, pacer Khaleel Ahmed got a dream start as he dismissed Rohit Sharma for a four-ball duck as he attempted a flick that landed into Shivam Dube's hands. MI was 0/1 in 0.4 overs.
Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks did collect some boundaries as they pummelled Sam Curran for three boundaries in the second over. But Khaleel made a mess out of Rickelton's stumps, removing him for 13 off seven balls. MI was then 24/2 in 2.2 overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin celebrated his homecoming with the scalp of Will Jacks for just 11, leaving MI at 36/3 in 4.4 overs.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma took MI through the remainder of the powerplay, with MI at 52/3 in six overs and Suryakumar (19) and Tilak (8) unbeaten. They reached the 50-run mark in 5.3 overs.
Tilak was stable against spinners, collecting a couple of sixes. MI was 82/3 in 10 overs, with Tilak (27) and Suryakumar (29) unbeaten. A game-changing spell from Noor Ahmed choked MI with spin, as he removed Suryakumar (29 in 26 balls, with two fours and a six), Robin Minz (3) and Tilak (31 in 25 balls, with two fours and two sixes). MI was 96/6 in 13 overs.
MI reached the 100-run mark in 14 overs, with all-rounders Naman Dhir and Mitchell Santner holding the fort. Noor got the scalp of Naman Dhir for 17 in 12 balls, ending the match with figures of 4/18 in four overs.
Mitchell Santner was trapped leg-before-wicket by Nathan Ellis for 11 in 13 balls, leaving MI at 128/8 in 18 overs. Khaleel removed Trent Boult for just one run, but Deepak Chahar put up a fight with the bat, scoring a valuable 28* in 15 balls, with two fours and two sixes.
Ultimately, MI managed to post 155/9 in their innings. Noor (4/18) and Khaleel (3/29) were top wicket-takers for CSK, while Ellis and Ashwin got a wicket each.
MS Dhoni's impeccable eye for detail benefited CSK in their opening match against MI. Dhoni's judgment for DRS has remained almost unparalleled for years, and against Mumbai Indians in the side's IPL 2025 opener, he proved once again why captains and bowlers trust his word over anything else.
When Nathan Ellis struck Mitchell Santner on the pads in the 18th over, Dhoni’s quiet nod was all it took for CSK to take the review. The on-field umpire remained unmoved, but Ellis was convinced; and more importantly, so was Dhoni. He had only a split second to judge the trajectory, but his call was immediate. Gaikwad, trusting the veteran’s eye for detail, signaled for the review without hesitation. The big screen soon confirmed what Dhoni correctly guessed: the ball was crashing into the top of middle stump, and MI had lost another crucial wicket at the death.
As the decision flashed ‘OUT,’ Ellis turned straight to Dhoni in celebration, acknowledging the man who made it happen. Mumbai Indians endured a tough outing with the bat, scraping to 155/9 against CSK in a sluggish display in Chennai.
Dhoni was back in business on his return to the Indian Premier League at 43 years old. The Chepauk crowd erupted in delight as MS Dhoni executed a lightning-quick stumping to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav during the IPL 2025 opener on March 23. Effecting the stumping in just 0.12 seconds, Dhoni showcased his impeccable reflexes.
In trademark fashion, he collected the ball and dislodged the bails in one swift motion, preventing the impact of the delivery from pushing his hands back. Additionally, despite missing a delivery down the leg side and conceding four byes, his stumping made him the star of the match. Upon execution of the stumping, commentator Harsha Bhogle remarked on Dhoni's quickness, amazed at how he collected the ball and completed the stumping so rapidly that Suryakumar had no chance of returning to the crease.
While former cricketers and experts praised Dhoni's performance, young Noor Ahmed, who had a sensational debut with four wickets, played a pivotal role in CSK's victory, restricting MI to 155/9. At the end of the match, Dhoni's unique blend of experience and skill left fans wondering how long he could continue defying age—and the doubters.
