Picture Credit: X/IPL
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are having a decent run in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. After five losses, CSK got their sixth win from 11 games against the Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 5. Despite their 28-run win over the Sam Curran-led side, their former skipper and one of the stalwarts of the game, MS Dhoni was criticised by several for his batting position.
With quick wickets falling at one point of the match, MS Dhoni walked out to bat at number nine, which was for the first time in his T20 career. Seeing this, several former cricketers and critics of the game had hit back at MS Dhoni. But recently a report in the Times of India, citing CSK source revealed that MS Dhoni has a muscle tear in his leg and thus has reduced his ability to run for too long.
It is to be noted that the injury happened early in IPL 2024 and due to the absence of CSK’s second wicketkeeper-batter pick, Devon Conway, who is also injured, Dhoni has been forced to take the field. “We are virtually playing with our ‘B’ team. Those who are criticizing Dhoni don’t know the sacrifice that he is doing for his team,” the CSK source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
MS Dhoni shouldn’t play if he bats at No. 9: Harbhajan Singh
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh came down too heavy on the former India captain after he came down to bat at No. 9 in match against Punjab. Speaking with Star Sports, Harbhajan said, “MS Dhoni shouldn’t play if he wants to bat at the number 9 slot. It is better to include a fast bowler than him in the playing XI. He is the decision-maker and has let down his team by not coming out to bat.”
“CSK were in a need of quick runs and Dhoni has done that in the previous games. It was shocking that he stayed back in the important contest against Punjab Kings. Even if CSK win today, I will still call out Dhoni. Let people say anything. I will say what is right,” he further added.
However, Harbhajan wasn’t the only one to call out Dhoni. His compatriot and former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan also spoke of the stalwart’s batting order. “I know that he is 42, but he in solid form. He should be taking the responsibility of batting up the order. He should bat for at least four to five overs,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
