Buzzflix It was a moment that stunned not just the Chepauk Stadium crowd but millions of cricket fans watching across the globe. MS Dhoni, the heartbeat of Chennai Super Kings, was controversially given out LBW by third umpire Vinod Seshan, despite what looked like a clear spike on UltraEdge. The drama unfolded during the 16th over of CSK’s innings against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 — and it has since triggered an online debate.
But what exactly happened? Why was Dhoni sent back even after reviewing the decision? Here’s the complete breakdown.
The Dismissal That Shook Chepauk
Coming in late at No. 9, Dhoni was greeted with thunderous applause from the Chepauk crowd. However, he didn’t last long. Facing Sunil Narine, who has had the better of Dhoni in previous seasons, the CSK skipper misjudged a delivery and was struck on the pad. Umpire Chris Gaffaney immediately raised his finger.
Dhoni opted for the DRS straight away — and that’s when things got dramatic.
What Did UltraEdge Show?
Replays showed a slight murmur on UltraEdge as the ball passed close to the bat. A spike flickered on the screen — a moment that had fans convinced the decision would be overturned.
But third umpire Vinod Seshan had a different view. He analyzed multiple replays and emphasized the left side of the split-screen, where he believed there was a clear gap between bat and pad. Concluding there was no bat involved, he stuck with the on-field decision: OUT.
Expert Opinion: Mark Boucher Explains the Call
Former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, who was on-air during the game, shared his confusion:
“When I was on-air, I was a bit surprised as to why the third umpire didn’t take the flicker of UltraEdge into account. It seemed pretty close to the bat.”
But off-air, Boucher received further clarification:
“I was told that third umpires consider several parameters — not just the flicker. They analyze the nature of the spike, its duration, and audio characteristics. Sometimes, spikes come from the batter’s foot movement or pad friction, not necessarily bat contact.”
Factors That Went Against Dhoni:
- Spike was not pronounced: A soft murmur doesn’t guarantee bat contact.
- No visual deviation: The ball did not alter its path after passing the bat.
- Gap between bat and pad: On the left screen, it looked like the ball missed the bat completely.
- Hawk-Eye confirmed everything else: pitching, impact, and hitting stumps—all three reds.
The Aftermath: Silence at Chepauk, Shock Online
As soon as the third umpire upheld the decision, Chepauk fell silent. Among the stunned was Ravindra Jadeja’s wife, Rivaba, whose emotional reaction — hands over her head and face covered — went viral.
CSK’s Batting Collapse
Dhoni’s dismissal further triggered a collapse. CSK, led by the legendary captain in place of injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, crumbled to 103/9 in 20 overs — their lowest-ever IPL score at home.
KKR’s spin trio — Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Moeen Ali — were lethal, putting on a bowling masterclass to seal the game in style.
MS Dhoni vs Narine in T20s—Stats Don’t Lie
| Metric | Stat |
|---|---|
| Innings | 19 |
| Runs | 48 |
| Balls Faced | 92 |
| Dismissals | 3 |
| Strike Rate | 52.17 |
| Boundaries | 2 Fours, 0 Sixes |
| Dot Ball % | 55.4% |
Check Full Match Details—CSK vs KKR IPL 2025
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