Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon MS Dhoni walked out to bat at No. 9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Chepauk on Friday (March 28), much to the shock of the fans and former cricketers alike.

While Dhoni scored 30 not out off 16 balls with three boundaries and two sixes, CSK fell 50 runs short in the chase of 197.

After the game, a section of Chennai fans expressed their frustration, with many calling for Dhoni’s retirement. Some experts also questioned the CSK management’s strategy to send the wicketkeeper-batter with only a few deliveries left in the innings.

Amid the outrage, West Indies legend Chris Gayle has come out in Dhoni’s defence. Gayle sent a sharp warning to critics as he urged the former CSK skipper to extend his IPL career.

"With Dhoni, he brings a lot of value to the IPL. You want to see him as long as possible and want him to stay. You don't want to push him. When you start to hear that noise, people are going to send a wrong message to such a great player and a great person. You don't want to send such a message to a guy like Dhoni because he brings so much value in IPL," Gayle said in an interaction with Insidesport.

Fondly known as the Universe Boss, Gayle also reminded the detractors of his wicketkeeping prowess before saying he wouldn't mind even if Dhoni bats at No. 11.

"His wicketkeeping is still one of the best, he is still very sharp. It is about how he plays for the team and how they are going to use him. Everybody wants to see Dhoni. So, it doesn't matter where he bats for me, even at number 11, as long as people get a glimpse of Dhoni, still to be a part of CSK and the IPL," he added.

The former RCB batter also argued that if Dhoni retires from the IPL, the tournament could see its value dip.

"For someone who has won the championship so many times, if he goes from the IPL, it will take a little bit of drop. What he has done for his franchise it is fantastic. Wherever CSK plays in India, it is all about the Whistle Podu. That is the power and that is what he brings to the IPL," Gayle remarked.

Recently, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming explained the reasoning behind MS Dhoni's batting position.

"MS judges it. His body is, his knees aren't what they used to be. And he's moving okay, but there's still an attrition aspect to it. He can't bat 10 overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game's in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he's balancing that," Fleming said in the pos-match presser.

"I said it last year [as well], he's too valuable to us - leadership and wicket-keeping - to throw him in nine, ten overs. He has actually never done that. So, look, from around 13-14 overs, he's looking to go depending on who's in," he added.

Chennai Super Kings will next face Delhi Capitals in their home ground at Chepauk on Saturday (April 5).