Former India captain Kris Srikkanth believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni should come down in the batting order in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) after CSK escaped a narrow defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday (September 26).
He also said Dhoni himself understands that the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Dwayne Bravo should bat higher up the order in crunch situations while suggesting the CSK skipper should bat lower down the order in the remainder of the IPL 2021 in the UAE.
Notably, Dhoni came to bat at No. 6 ahead of the match-winner Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in a tricky phase of the successful chase of 172 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
But the CSK captain failed to get going and was eventually clean bowled by Varun Chakravarthy for 1 off 4 balls when his team was still needed 30 runs to win the game against KKR in Abu Dhabi.
However, Jadeja took the charge of his team and played a match-winning cameo of 22 runs off 8 balls to take CSK over the line by 2 wickets against KKR in a last-ball thriller on Sunday.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka: “Dhoni had no clue about Varun. Last year, there was a similar situation. Varun got Dhoni out and CSK crumbled. CSK nearly crumbled this time too. He himself accepts it (playing more as a captain than a batsman). He should not be coming in at No. 5.”
He continued, “He can do that when there is an easy win at sight. In crucial stages, he shouldn't be coming to bat at No. 5. Honestly, he himself knows it. I think he is playing as a leader and the captain of the ship who can get his tactics right. He is brilliant with wicket keeping, as usual.
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Jadeja should be coming in at No. 5. Rayudu at No. 4. Moeen Ali is doing a brilliant job at No. 3. Then, depending on the situation, CSK should send Sam Curran or Dwayne Bravo. After then, they should look at sending Raina or Dhoni.”
Srikkanth signed off by saying, “Frankly speaking, Dhoni should come down in the order. Imagine when it comes to play-offs and winning the championship (Dhoni should bat lower down the order).”
