Ex-cricketer Irfan Pathan felt Chennai Super Kings’ MS Dhoni should’ve batted higher against SunRisers Hyderabad. He said this after their IPL 2024 match on April 6th.
Chennai was asked to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. They scored 165/5 in 20 overs. Hyderabad made run-scoring tough by bowling cutters well on the slow pitch.
MS Dhoni stepped out to bat at No. 7 following Ravindra Jadeja’s dismissal in the penultimate over. The former CSK captain played only two balls and was undefeated on one. Pathan stated that Chennai should have considered bringing in the experienced campaigner much sooner.
The cricketer turned commentator posted on the microblogging site X:
“Considering off-cutter planning in to the pitch and match up against Bhuvi and Unadkat, Dhoni the right-hand batsman should have batted up the order in this match vs SRH.”
Irfan Pathan
Contributing the highest runs of 45 for CSK, Shivam Dube couldn’t prevent SRH from clinching a comfortable six-wicket victory over the defending champions. The target was chased down with absolute ease in just 18.1 overs.
Michael Vaughan Questions MS Dhoni’s Batting Position in CSK vs SRH Encounter
Irfan Pathan wasn’t surprised alone. Even ex-England chief Michael Vaughan thought MS Dhoni, aged 42, should’ve come sooner to bat. He made a point – the last match versus Delhi Capitals (DC) showed Dhoni in great touch, scoring 37 unbeaten runs off just 16 deliveries.
After the game ended, Vaughan said this to Cricbuzz:
“On the back of what he did in the last game, I’m amazed he did not come out to bat earlier. I can’t understand why he’s been out there for just three balls.”
Michael Vaughan
Chennai is currently third in the IPL 2024 points table, with two victories and as many defeats after four matches.