First the first time-ever in the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has been batting at No.8 in the order, in the ongoing 16th edition of the league. Across the eight innings he has batted so far this season, the 41-year-old has arrived at the crease with the team’s six wickets down on a total of five occasions.
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It is not as if Dhoni has been struggling to put bowlers away this year. In fact, his power game has gone up a notch or two when compared to the previous couple of seasons.
Across these five matches (at No.8), ‘Captain Cool’ has smashed ten sixes after having faced mere 37 deliveries, a majority of which have been struck in the last Over of the innings. Overall, his strike rate of 204.25 in the season so far, has augured pretty well for his side considering the form in which his top-order is.
Fans and experts have been persistently requesting Dhoni to give himself some time at the crease, and unleash his beast mode later by coming further up the order, but the man has only arrived ahead of the rest in case a wicket has fallen during the last Over.
Why is CSK Captain Batting So Low in IPL 2023?
MS Dhoni, post his side’s last night contest against the Delhi Capitals in Chennai, had explicitly stated that he will be playing the role of a ‘finisher’ in the ongoing season, and that he has communicated the same to his players as well.
Not mentioning the reason for the same, Dhoni further added that he has been practicing accordingly for such situations as well, and is happy to contribute for his side in this capacity.
“This is what my job is, I have told them this is what I am supposed to do, don’t make me run a lot and it has been working. Others are doing their job and I’ve said this is what I need to do. So, happy to contribute whatever deliveries I’m getting. So, accordingly I’m practicing also. What I may get in a game is what I actually practice.”
MS Dhoni presently nursing a knee injury
Dhoni has been struggling with a knee injury as well, and he was even limping on a couple of occasions while running between the wickets last night. This is very well the other reason why he is batting so low in the order.
“He is nursing a knee injury, which you can see in some of his movement, which is hindering him somewhat but still what you saw today is a great player for us,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming had told reporters, post the side’s encounter against Punjab Kings on April 13.
Having already admitted a few days ago that he is in the ‘last phase of his career’, the last thing Dhoni would want is to be ruled out mid-season due to an injury.
