Even at 43, MS Dhoni continues to defy age, proving yet again why he remains one of the sharpest wicketkeepers in cricket. During Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) IPL 2025 opener against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chepauk last evening, Dhoni showcased his trademark lightning-quick reflexes behind the stumps, leaving fans and cricket experts mesmerised.

The moment came in the 11th over when MI’s stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav misjudged a beautifully flighted delivery from Noor Ahmad. As the ball zipped past the outside edge, Dhoni pounced — his hands working faster than the eye could follow. Before Suryakumar could even complete his bat swing, Dhoni had already dislodged the bails, completing the stumping in a jaw-dropping 0.12 seconds.

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Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden was among those in awe. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out, Hayden hailed Dhoni’s brilliance and said, “He was on fire. That was a difficult take, with the ball fired down the leg side. But Dhoni’s timing, hand speed and vision were just perfect. He’s still got it.”

The moment added to an already dominant CSK bowling display, with Noor Ahmad bagging four wickets and Khaleel Ahmed delivering a fiery spell in the powerplay. Despite a valiant 51-run stand between Suryakumar and Tilak Varma, and a late cameo from Deepak Chahar, MI could only muster 155/9 in their 20 overs.

On a night filled with nostalgia and dominance, Dhoni’s vintage stumping proved that while his captaincy days may be behind him, his magic behind the stumps remains very much alive. With CSK setting the tone early in the tournament, fans will be eager to see what more Dhoni has up his sleeve this season.