IPL 2020: MS Dhoni responds to calls of batting higher up the order in CSK

MS Dhoni’s batting position in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been a heated topic of discussion in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). In the opening game against Mumbai Indians (MI), he sent the likes of Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of him. They didn’t move didn’t backfire as the Super Kings won by five wickets. However, the scenario was different in the last two matches.

Dhoni, yet again, batted at number seven against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), and that time, he faltered. Though he smashed Tom Curran for three sixes scored 29 runs, CSK fell short by 16 runs. In the third game against the Delhi Capitals (DC), Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kedar Jadhav batted ahead of him and he took the crease with his team, needing 78 runs off a mere 26 balls.

MS Dhoni opens up

In the meantime, despite the criticism of him, batting down the order, Dhoni seems unfazed. In the meantime, popular commentator, Mark Nicholas said that his fans in the CSK, desperately, want him to bat higher up the order. “Most of India want you to bat a big higher particularly the CSK fans,” Nicholas told him after which he asked Dhoni about his batting position.

However, Dhoni said that his position will be decided based on match-situations. “Whatever is best for the team, we will do that. That’s the part of the strategy. So, you wait and watch,” Dhoni stated.

On Friday, September 25, the Super Kings lost to the Capitals by 44 runs. After putting the opposition into bat, CSK found themselves in pressure after Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan out on a stand of 94 for the opening wicket. Shaw went on to make a 43-ball 64 with the help of nine fours and a six. Rishabh Pant’s 25-ball 37 propelled DC to a competitive 175 for three in their 20 overs.

In their run-chase, CSK couldn’t get away the spinners. Faf du Plessis scored 43 and got the back the Orange Cup, but his efforts went in vain. As far as Dhoni was concerned, he got 15 off 12 before Kagiso Rabada got rid of him. CSK are placed fifth in the points table after the losses.