Chennai, Mar 29 (PTI) – Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) tactics in their recent clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have left many puzzled, including former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson. One of the biggest talking points? The decision to send MS Dhoni lower down the order yet again, a move that Watson finds difficult to comprehend.
CSK suffered a crushing 50-run defeat while chasing a challenging 197-run target, and Watson believes that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad should have opened the innings instead of coming in later. On top of that, Dhoni walked in at number nine, with Ravichandran Ashwin batting ahead of him. When Dhoni did get to bat, he entertained the fans with an unbeaten 30 off just 16 balls, smashing the RCB bowlers all over the park. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived at the crease, the match was as good as over.
Why Not Promote Dhoni Up the Order?
Watson, a JioStar expert, expressed his thoughts on Dhoni’s batting position, saying, “This is exactly what CSK fans come to see—Dhoni scoring 30 off 16 deliveries. I would have absolutely loved to see him bat higher up the order. In my opinion, he should have come in ahead of Ashwin.”
He further added, “Given the match situation, Dhoni could have played like this for another 15 balls. Over the last couple of years, he has shown that he’s still batting beautifully. He should be promoted up the order so we can witness his full potential.”
But this isn’t the first time Dhoni has taken a backseat in the batting order. Even in the previous season, he opted to come in lower down. Despite being retired from international cricket, Dhoni remains one of the best finishers, so why not let him face more deliveries?
CSK’s Questionable Batting Order Decisions
The team’s top and middle order crumbled as skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered a four-ball duck while batting at number three. Watson was particularly disappointed with some tactical choices, especially the decision to send Rahul Tripathi as an opener instead of Gaikwad.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad is a quality opener, yet he had to come in later. Even the shot he played against Hazlewood, where he gave himself room, was uncharacteristic. Normally, he stands still and reacts, but this showed he was under pressure,” Watson observed.
Deepak Hooda’s performance also came under scrutiny. Watson noted that Hooda was playing every ball as if he was just trying to survive, instead of taking control of the situation.
“Batting Sam Curran at No. 5 was also questionable. I see him as more of a No. 7 batter. Right now, CSK hasn't got their combinations right, and they need to make a few adjustments. If they persist with this batting line-up, they risk being exposed,” Watson warned.
Dhoni’s Timeless Wicket-Keeping Skills
While CSK’s batting order has been debatable, one thing remains undisputed—MS Dhoni’s lightning-fast wicket-keeping skills. Despite being 43 years old, he continues to stun fans and cricket pundits alike with his impeccable keeping.
Watson was full of praise for Dhoni’s sharp reflexes, stating, “From a wicket-keeping perspective, he's still as sharp as ever—whipping the bails off in an instant. That tells me his game is in great shape, and he’s as well-prepared as he possibly can be.”
Adding to the admiration, former cricketer Aakash Chopra explained what makes Dhoni’s keeping so unique.
“He’s simply remarkable. When we talk about speed, the definition is now 'fast, faster, MS Dhoni.' We always say, 'Don't try this at home' because what he does is truly unique.”
Chopra also highlighted Dhoni’s unconventional keeping technique. “Fundamentally, in fielding, hands naturally move backward to absorb impact. Otherwise, the ball spills out due to hardness of the hands. But Dhoni defies this logic. His hands move in just one direction—toward the stumps. There’s only one player in the world who can execute that kind of stumping with such precision, and that’s MS Dhoni.”
CSK’s Road Ahead
So far, CSK has played two matches in the tournament, winning one and losing the other. They will now face the struggling Rajasthan Royals on Sunday in Guwahati. With some tactical adjustments, they will hope to bounce back strongly.
The big question remains—will CSK finally promote Dhoni up the order to give him more time at the crease? Or will the team stick to their unconventional strategies? One thing’s for sure, CSK fans will be watching closely, hoping to see their beloved Thala lead the team to victory once again.
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