IPL 2025: How is MS Dhoni’s downfall similar to the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility?

The unreal fandom of MS Dhoni is enough to define his aura in the cricket fraternity. Based out of Jharkhand, Dhoni was acquired by Chennai Super Kings in the first season of the Indian Premier League, and since then, it has been like a match made in heaven. CSK won seven trophies - five in IPL and two in Champions League under his second-to-none leadership skills and an unmatched demeanour, both on and off the field.

However, the ongoing 2025 edition of the tournament has seen the cricketer start his campaign on a bitter-sweet note. His uncanny batting positions and inability to finish the games like his prime self have raised quite a lot of eyebrows. So much so that even the most die-hard fans of Dhoni fans have now been demanding the retirement of the 43-year-old, before it is way too late.

But how does Dhoni's state relate to the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility?

To explain further, understanding the law related to Economics is essential. According to the renowned economist Dr Alfred Marshall, the law of DMU states:

The additional benefit which a person derives from a given increase in consumption diminishes with every additional unit consumed. The marginal utility of a thing to anyone diminishes with every increase in the amount of it he already has.

In Dhoni’s scenario, fans have always gone the distance to get a glimpse of him batting. This has given them satisfaction, as is evident through countless social media fanatics and gate-crashers. IPL 2024 was the year when the level of satisfaction to see more of Dhoni peaked as his strike-rate was a staggering 220.54, which included 13 sixes, his most since 2020 in a single edition.

The ongoing year, however, has not been close to the preceding one. Last year, the majority of the games when Dhoni batted came in a winning cause, however, the way his season ended against RCB defines what 2025 has been going around like for the 43-year-old. CSK have lost all the matches where Dhoni scored runs thus far.

Check Here: MS Dhoni IPL Career, Records & Stats

Therefore, the point of maximum satisfaction that the Yellove Army fans had from Dhoni batting has been breached, and every additional season of him batting is supposed to bring down the utility for the fans, going by the law.

The legendary wicketkeeper-batter, during a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, has himself confirmed that he wishes to not think about playing IPL 2026 right now, and a decision can be taken only once the 19th edition comes close, and his body is able to stay in shape to contribute his best. As a result, it will be interesting to check whether Dhoni’s situation in relation to the law discussed above stands the test of time.