After his brilliant performance against the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2024, there have been increasing calls for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bat higher up the order. Dhoni smacked 37* with 4 fours and 3 sixes in CSK’s 20-run loss to DC in Vizag.
This was the first time Dhoni batted in the IPL 2024. He spent the better part of the year 2023 after IPL, nursing back from the knee surgery he had days after the IPL 16 final. His only batting practice after that was during the pre-season camp and at the training nets before each game. Dhoni dismissed any doubts with a brilliant innings on Sunday against the Delhi Capitals.
Former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke feels that MS Dhoni will stick to his spot at no.8 and will only move up the order if the game hangs in the balance.
"I don't think he will. I think he'll stay where he is. I think every MS Dhoni fan wants to see him as high up the order as possible. We've all said throughout his career, that he should open the batting. But look, he's at a stage of his career where he's down from the captaincy. I don't think he'll come up with the order. I think if there's a game on the line and he needs to go up the order because it's what's best for the team, I'm sure he will,” Clarke told Star Sports.
During his cameo against the Delhi Capitals, Dhoni hit a quick six over extra cover, and then in the 20th over, he hit a one-handed maximum over mid-wicket.
“Just because he's hitting the ball so well, I don't think you'll see him batting in the top five or top six. I think he's a genius at the dance. He's probably the best finisher I've ever seen. So, I think they'll continue to utilize him in that role," said Clarke.
On the other hand, Steve Smith said that having Dhoni bat up the order might help CSK.
"Let's get him up the order. I think he did not miss the middle of the bat tonight. That was just incredible to witness. I think Jadeja, throughout the other end, was struggling to find the middle. They bowled really well to him but MS got there on strike. Obviously, in his first ball to the boundary and then from there, he just barely missed the middle of the bat. It was great to watch and I think the fans want to see him getting up the order and keep doing it more often," said Smith.
Brett Lee, stunned by Dhoni's masterpiece in Vizag, advised Ruturaj Gaikwad and the CSK team management to move Dhoni up the order in upcoming games rather than at No. 8.
"He was on tonight, he was not rusty. I do want more from him in terms of batting. Get yourself up the order. He is outstanding, his brain is still nice and sharp, CSK please get MS Dhoni up the order," the former Aussie fast bowler said on JioCinema.
Watson, who was on the panel, described it as Dhoni's finest knock, with the last-ball six over extra cover leaving him quite impressed.
"With MS Dhoni in this type of form - this is exactly what you want from him. His power and the skill he has got under pressure when the bowlers are really scrambling to execute, his ability to win a game out of nowhere we have seen so many times through his career. Some of the shots he played tonight, that's as good a shot I have ever seen him play. The one over cover is one of the harder shots to play, but he is still doing it," the former Australia all-rounder said.
CSK will now travel to Hyderabad to face SRH on April 5.
(PTI inputs)
