IPL 2019: Kris Srikkanth feels MS Dhoni should take more rest before taking field

Srikkanth doesn't want Dhoni to risk his health before World Cup.

Kedar Jadhav with MS Dhoni | IANS

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has advised MS Dhoni to take some more rest before taking the field after the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper suffered a back spasm and missed the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). 

"With the World Cup being the prime focus, I will look at Dhoni resting for one or two more games to ensure his back is completely back to normal. In his own interest and taking into consideration his presence being vital both to CSK and India, Dhoni should not rush back," Srikkanth wrote in his column for The Times of India on Sunday.

Srikkanth feels CSK can easily make it to the playoffs given that they are standing at the top of the points table. His thought is that Dhoni should rest a little more, as his services are not needed urgently.

"For all practical purposes, the defending champions are assured of a playoff spot and with a cluster of home games coming their way, I don’t see them being displaced from the top-two in the table," he wrote.

Chennai will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) next and Srikkanth picks the Virat Kohli-led side as favorites without Dhoni. "With no Dhoni, Bangalore’s chances do improve. A clash between these two sides always throws up something interesting, irrespective of their standing," he opined.

Kuldeep Yadav has been really poor this season. His helpless form hasn't boosted his confidence and the last performance in the game against RCB, where he went for 59 runs in four overs might have just broken him.

"Unfortunately, Kuldeep’s dip in form has had a direct bearing on how the former champions have fared this summer," Srikkanth wrote in his column. "His inability to pick wickets has ensured the opponents have run away with games, especially in the latter half of the innings.

"Kuldeep’s economy has also gone haywire. As much as wrist spinners provide wicket-taking options, they are also a risk when it comes to runs given away at a canter. Out of a possible 36, Kuldeep has bowled 33 overs. An economy rate of 8.66 and a mere four wickets at an average of 71.50 puts things in perspective."

Srikkanth gives Andre Russell maximum credit for keeping KKR alive in the competition. "Dinesh Karthik does not have the luxury of a potent seam attack as well to fall back on. At this point, KKR's saving grace is the bludgeoning blade of Andre Russell and to an extent the contributions from Nitish Rana."

Srikkanth feels Kuldeep would find it difficult to tackle David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. "To extract four wins from five games from here looks an uphill task for KKR. An improved performance from Kuldeep will help them regain lost ground' but with David Warner and Bairstow picking spin well, the signs are ominous for the chinaman bowler," he reckoned. 

(With TOI Inputs)

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 21 Apr, 2019

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