Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag wasn't impressed with MS Dhoni's captaincy against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Chennai Super Kings (CSK) conceded 216 runs in the first innings, and the batting unit didn't click to successfully chase down the target.
Sehwag questioned Dhoni's decisions during the match and also felt he was not giving his 100 percent in the chase. The CSK skipper scored 29* off 17 deliveries but in the first 11 deliveries, his score was just 8 runs. The three sixes in last over brought Chennai close to the target, but it was too late.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag said, “The three sixes that MS Dhoni hit in the last over made it feel like CSK came close to the target, but the reality was something different. In the middle, it looked like Dhoni wasn't even trying to chase the target considering the number of dot balls he played."
Sehwag wants Dhoni to bat up in the batting order and also felt Ravindra Jadeja should have come before Kedar Jadhav in the chase.
“I feel Dhoni could've batted higher up or even sent Ravindra Jadeja to bat after Sam Curran got out. The run-rate slowed down in the middle overs. If that hadn't happened and about 20-22 runs were required to win in the last over, the three sixes that Dhoni hit would've made people say 'wow, what a finish',” he said.
“If over 30 runs are required, those three sixes wouldn't make a difference. I think Dhoni could've batted over Kedar Jadhav at least. The number of balls Jadhav played, had Dhoni been the one facing them, CSK wouldn't have finished with the deficit of 17-18 runs that they did,” he further added.
Sehwag, who has led IPL teams in past, wasn't sure why Dhoni continued with spin when Sanju Samson was thrashing them with ease.
“Even while CSK was fielding, Dhoni's captaincy had some strange decisions. He continued giving overs to Jadeja and Piyush Chawla despite them leaking runs. The four overs that CSK's spinners bowled to Sanju Samson, put the game in Rajasthan's favor,” Sehwag highlighted.
“Dhoni then brought Lungi Ngidi who dismissed Samson and then Chawla was brought back into the attack. In his final two overs, Chawla only conceded 8 runs. This shows that Dhoni should've made these changes earlier,” said Viru.
Samson ended up scoring 74 off 32 deliveries and Piyush Chawla conceded 55 runs in four overs with one wicket, while Ravindra Jadeja went wicketless and gave 40 runs in four overs.
