I was not guaranteeing performances when I was 24, can't guarantee when I am 40' - MS Dhoni tells critics

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has not had the best time with the bat in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2 innings that he has played thus far in the 2021 edition of the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) veteran has managed to score only 18 runs, and averages just 9.0 in the tournament.

In fact, even in the 2020 IPL edition that was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dhoni could just score 200 runs at an average of 25.00. Also, Dhoni’s last IPL fifty came in the 2019 IPL edition against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side. And now, the cricketing legend has opened up on his performance.

Admitting that the first six balls he played could have cost his side the match, the CSK skipper stated that when he is playing the game, he does not want anyone to point fingers at him and state that he is unfit. Dhoni also said that he did not guarantee performance when he was 24 years old, and he cannot guarantee performance when he is 40 as well.

“I thought we could have got more. The first six balls I played could have cost us in another game. It’s true but when you’re playing, you don’t really want anyone to say he’s unfit. Performance is something that is not guaranteed. I was not guaranteeing performances when I was 24, can’t guarantee when I am 40,” said Dhoni in the post-match press conference.

“It is good to challenge the younger guys,” says MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni further added that if nobody can point fingers at him regarding his fitness then he will take it as a positive thing. The cricketing legend concluded by stating that the younger players today are very fast and it is a good feeling to challenge them.

“At least, if people can’t point fingers at me, saying he’s unfit, that will be a big positive for me. I have to keep up with the younger guys. They run a lot, they are very fast, it’s good to challenge them,” concluded Dhoni.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will next lock horns against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side on 21st April 2021.