IPL 2024: Michael Clarke wants other CSK batters to step up around 'finisher' MS Dhoni

The ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024 has been a roller coaster of a ride for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings. With two wins in four games, the five-time champions find themselves in fourth place in the standings with four points to their name.

With the season being full of ups and downs so far, there have been many fans who have come forward to opine that there must be some changes in the batting order, questioning why veteran batter and former skipper MS Dhoni is batting so low in the order.

Dhoni played a marvellous knock against Delhi Capitals in Vizag recently, scoring an unbeaten 37 runs in just 16 deliveries and hitting Anrich Nortje for 20 runs in the final over. With many demanding Dhoni to be promoted in the order, Michael Clarke and Sanjay Manjrekar opined that the veteran should stick to being the finisher.

"Which means he will have to come ahead of somebody like a Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja or Shivam Dube. Is that the right call? I Wonder. May be not. I want him to replicate what he did last season. Few balls and maximum impact. And even in that match, when he got 30-odd, he got it in 16-17 balls. MS Dhoni’s strengths likes in his wicketkeeping, being a guide to Ruturaj and his cameos. Sending him at No. 3 or No. 4 may not be such a great idea," Sanjay Manjrekar told Star Sports.

The opinion sat well with former Australia skipper Clarke, who opined that any role except the finisher has never been one with MS Dhoni in any format of the game. 

"You are spot on, Sanjay. He doesn’t need to. That’s never been his role in any format of the game. There might have been occasions when he goes up the order. But, generally, he is a finisher. He is probably the best finisher the game has ever seen. So he doesn’t have to change that. The other thing about having MS Dhoni in your team, that should give the players in front of him feel confident, and maybe take a few risks a little bit earlier. He has got enough jobs, and he has done it for a long period of time. It’s time for other players to step up," Clarke said.