Legendary West Indian cricketer Brian Lara has reacted to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni’s decision to promote himself in the batting order in the 50th game of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Monday (October 4) in Dubai.
Dhoni has been struggling with the bat in the ongoing IPL 2021 and after another slow inning against Delhi Capitals (DC), the legendary wicketkeeper’s batting form became a talking point among the fans and cricketers, especially due to batting ahead of in-form Jadeja.
The right-hander’s batting struggles continued against DC, as he scored just 18 runs in 27 balls – Dhoni’s slowest knock in the history of the IPL – and many blamed the CSK skipper for Chennai’s three-wicket loss to DC. It was CSK’s second loss in a row and they slipped to the second spot in the IPL 14 points table.
Well, Dhoni, who has scored just 84 runs in 13 games so far in the ongoing IPL 2021, batted at No.6 while Jadeja sent at No.7 against DC and Lara feels the CSK skipper isn’t the same one that he used to be and he shouldn't come to bat ahead of the all-rounder.
However, Lara said an in-form Dhoni is an asset to the CSK in the playoffs. He further said Dhoni is trying to regain some batting form by promoting himself higher up the order, but suggested CSK should play Jadeja higher up the order if they want to make full use of the in-form all-rounder in the ongoing IPL 14.
Lara told Star Sports after the DC v CSK match, “MS Dhoni is trying to get some form. He is still a little bit slow, still not full into the stride. Not the Dhoni that we know. He will take some solace that he is getting the bat on the ball. He did not finish things off. My feeling is that Jadeja should, at some point, come a little ahead because he is in good form and key to their batting.”
He signed off by saying, “We all know how great a finisher MS Dhoni is and he knows the team is already in the semis (play-offs). The thing is MS Dhoni in form is a great asset for CSK.”
