The evening of 31st March in Visakhapatnam was in the name of MS Dhoni. Even though Delhi Capitals won the match, Chennai Super Kings’ defeat was discussed more than its victory. And, that was because Dhoni was standing with him, who showed the yellow sea of fans gathered on the field what they had come to enjoy. Dhoni told that he may be 42 but Josh is still 22. Mahi, the favorite of all those fans, is still killing it. He still has the power to test one of the fastest bowlers in the world. He can still end the innings with a six. When Dhoni, who came to bat for the first time in IPL 2024, showed all this, it was natural to win his heart. Even those big cricketers acknowledged Dhoni’s talent, but they also raised a question. The question is why Dhoni did not think like Rishabh Pant?
Dhoni is like the school from where Rishabh Pant has learned a lot. In such a situation, the questions raised by some veteran cricketers, it is important to first know in what context? What happened in the match that Rishabh Pant won the match? So this has a direct connection with the decision that Pant took but not Dhoni to win the match. Because, if Dhoni had taken that stand then perhaps he would have been seen winning not only hearts but also matches for Chennai Super Kings.
Pant changed the batting order, Delhi got bumper advantage
Now the question is what was Rishabh Pant’s decision? That decision of Pant was actually related to the changes made in his own batting order. For the first time in IPL 2024, Pant promoted himself in the batting order. He came down to play from number 4 to number 3, the effect of which was also visible in the match. Pant got time to establish his feet on the wicket. Pant made up for the slow start of his innings with the same explosiveness at the end. He scored only 21 runs with only 1 six and 1 four at a strike rate of 105 in the first 20 balls of his innings. In the next 12 balls, he scored 30 runs with 3 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 250. The result was that Delhi’s score crossed 190.
Dhoni should have also come up like Pant?
Dhoni also made a big blast. At the age of 42, he scored unbeaten 37 runs in just 16 balls, in which the strike rate was above 231 and included 3 sixes apart from 4 fours. Seeing this appearance of Mahi, big cricket pundits were at a loss for words to praise her. But, like the stain in the moon, some also had questions because they believed that if Dhoni had promoted himself in batting like Pant, he would have won not only hearts but also matches for CSK.
From Brett Lee to Bhogle… everyone is a fan of Dhoni but one question
Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said that Dhoni’s innings was unmatched but the way he is playing, he should come up to bat. Tom Moody also acknowledged Dhoni’s talent and talked about his batting above Rizvi and Jadeja. Even commentator Harsha Bhogle asked why batting so low?
MS Dhoni has still got that magic with bat in hand, might have been a different outcome if he batted ahead of Rizvi and Jadeja! #DCvCSK
—Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 31, 2024
He still has it! Why is he batting so low? https://t.co/MGNmpT8i31
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2024
These questions related to Dhoni’s promotion in the batting order are undoubtedly justified. At least looking at the way he played on the ground in Visakhapatnam, it seems that it would be beneficial for CSK if he comes up a little. It is expected that after the match with Delhi, there will be a brainstorming on this within the team and its impact will also be seen in the coming matches.
