Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja has criticised Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper, MS Dhoni, for demoting himself in the batting order in the ongoing edition of Indian Premier League.
Other CSK batsmen did their job so brilliantly that Dhoni’s contribution wasn’t needed in the team’s five-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2020 opener last week.
However, questions were raised as Dhoni at No. 7 during the daunting run chase against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Chasing 217 to win, the veteran campaigner came out to bat in the 14th over and remained unbeaten on 29 off 17 balls with three sixes but his side lost the game by 16 runs.
In CSK’s third game against Delhi Capitals (DC), Dhoni arrived at the crease in the 16th over at No. 6 while chasing 176 and his team suffered a heavy defeat of 44 runs.
“I would again say the same thing. I am not happy with MS Dhoni's batting position. No war is won while fighting from behind. There's a saying in the Army that a war concludes when the General steps out.
“In cricket, I believe that the one who fights from the front has a better chance of winning the battle. If you have soldiers who can win the battle for you and you can only work towards strategising the war, that's a different scenario. But doesn't look like the case here,” Jadeja told Cricbuzz.
He is also a bit sad that kids of this generation will be remembering only this version of Dhoni and would fail to realise his greatness of past.
“Dhoni has retired from Indian cricket team duty but is still leading CSK. Those kids who have started watching cricket now, would remember the Dhoni they are seeing on the screens, contrary to the great cricketer they were being told about before which is the sad part," Jadeja remarked.
Super Kings will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next game on October 2 in Dubai.
