NEW DELHI: Calls for
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
to bat higher up the order have intensified following his dynamic performance against the Delhi Capitals. Despite Dhoni's unbeaten 37 off 16 balls at number eight, the Chennai Super Kings fell short by 20 runs against Rishabh Pant's squad.
Dhoni's brief yet impactful innings against the Delhi Capitals featured a resounding six over extra-cover, followed by a one-handed maximum over mid-wicket in the 20th over.
Although the 42-year-old, who last represented India in 2019, underwent knee surgery last year, his batting prowess remains undiminished.
Fans were thrilled to witness their beloved cricketer showcasing his trademark style.
However, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull criticised Dhoni's approach, noting that the seasoned campaigner faced numerous dot balls before launching an assault on the Delhi Capitals bowlers.
"I know there was a lot of hoopla about Dhoni's innings but he blocked a lot of balls. He faced a lot of dots and then when he started to not take runs, I could not believe what I was watching. I know he is the great
MS Dhoni but it was a poor call. It was a really poor call not to take those runs," Doull told Cricbuzz.
"You are still trying to win the game and I know it is his first bat in a long time, first bat of the season and he is probably thinking at some stage of maybe getting to find some form but I didn't agree with it. I didn't agree with what happened in that situation. To me, it was a really poor look. I was watching it and thinking you know, it didn't look good for me. That just didn't look quite right to me when he wasn't taking runs," he said.
Dhoni also became the first Indian glovesman to score 7,000 runs in T20 cricket.
Under Dhoni's captaincy, CSK won five IPL titles - 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
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