'MS Dhoni Batting At Number 9...': Former CSK Teammates Question Logic Behind Strange Tactic
MS Dhoni batted at no.9 with RCB all but certain of a victory against CSK and several former cricketers have questioned the strange tactic.
Over the past couple of seasons, MS Dhoni has been batting in the lower order for his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. The former CSK captain recently offered an explanation that a combination of knee injury (IPL 2022), his CSK teammates in contention for India’s T20 World Cup squad (IPL 2023) and the fact that those batting above him were doing good enough job meant there was no need for him to be promoted up the order.
On Saturday though, the move to send Dhoni at No.9 during an IPL 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru left several former India cricketers including two ex-CSK players baffled considering the match situation.
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Playing at home, CSK needed 98 runs off 28 deliveries when Dhoni walked in midway through the 16th over with Ravichandran Ashwin holing out to Phil Salth on 11 off 8.
Given Dhoni’s prowess with the bat and the fact he is a much more accomplished batter than Ashwin – primarily a bowler – the decision has been questioned considering the wicketkeeper-batter could at least have helped manage CSK’s net run-rate even though the contest looked beyond their reach.
“I will never be in favour of Dhoni batting at number 9. Not ideal for team," wrote former CSK allrounder Irfan Pathan on X (formerly Twitter)
Pathan was part of CSK squad in 2015.
Another ex-CSK cricketer Robin Uthappa wrote, “Important win for RCB. A win at the fortress in Chepauk will be a huge boost in their campaign this year. Dhoni coming at number 9 didn’t make sense at all. Him coming earlier could have helped CSK’s NRR in their campaign this year."
Dhoni clattered three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 16-ball 30 as CSK finished at 146/8 in chase of 197.
Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra advised CSK to send Dhoni ahead in the batting order so that the 43-year-old has enough time to win matches from difficult situation.
“CSK fans really love the sight of Dhoni walking into the middle and smashing sixes. But CSK fans must also want their team to win. And with the kind of hitting form that Dhoni has shown off-late, it’s only logical to expect him to give himself enough time to win games for CSK. Ashwin ahead of Dhoni vs RCB didn’t make sense," Chopra posted on X.
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