IPL 2020: Suresh Raina wants MS Dhoni to bat at no.3 for CSK

Former Indian batsman Suresh Raina reckons that MS Dhoni should bat at number three for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Evers since Raina returned to India, pulling out the cash-rich league, CSK are scratching their heads on filling the massive void. The left-hander is the leading run-scorer for the IPL franchise since making his debut back in 2008.

Raina was of the opinion that batting at no.3 will give Dhoni the freedom to express himself without much inhibition. The Jharkhand-born Dhoni started batting in the top order at the start of his career, but changed his position to the lower middle-order as his career passed the test of times.

It’s a very crucial position: Suresh Raina

As per Raina, Dhoni’s experience of batting at three can do wonders for the Super Kings going ahead. The 33-year-old also put forth Dhoni’s knock against Pakistan back in 2005 in Vizag as an example when the latter smashed his maiden ton for the Men in Blue.

“He has the experience to bat at that position. How can one forget Dhoni’s 148 against Pakistan in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam in April 2005? It’s a very crucial position and the No. 3 position will give Dhoni more flexibility,” Raina was quoted as saying in an exclusive interview with Outlook India.

Dhoni’s figures at no.3 are far more intriguing than his overall numbers. At the top order, in 17 ODIs, the now 39-year-old notched 993 runs at an average of 82.75. Apart from the ton against Pakistan, the former Indian captain also hammered a 183* versus Sri Lanka at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

At three, he also managed a few scores in the 80s and 90s. Interestingly, in his last knock at three, the veteran cricketer scored 72 against the Lankans in Rajkot back in December 2009. In the Super Kings, Dhoni, mostly, bats lower down the order.

The 2020 edition of the IPL is set to get underway on Saturday, September 19 and all eyes will be on the CSK captain. Dhoni is set to mark his return to competitive cricket after more than 14 months following India’s loss in the 2019 World Cup semis.