Former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir is backing CSK skipper MS Dhoni to bat at number three, now that Suresh Raina has pulled out of IPL 2020.
“It will be a good opportunity for MS Dhoni to come and bat at No 3,” Gambhir said on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
Interestingly, MS Dhoni has been away from international cricket for more than a year. This is why Gambhir is asking Dhoni to bat for as many deliveries as possible.
“And he has been away from the game for the last one year, so he would end up getting a lot more balls to face and then he can actually play the anchor innings as well which he has been doing for India for the last couple of years,” the former KKR skipper further added.
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Gambhir also feels that CSK has enough depth in their batting order even if Dhoni bats at number three. Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran should follow the CSK skipper as per the former Indian left-hander.
Gambhir Backs Dhoni to bat at number 3
Another reason why Gambhir is favoring Dhoni to bat at number three is because of his experience. With Suresh Raina not available, Gambhir feels, an experienced batsman should replace him at number three and no better than Dhoni himself.
“So, I think it is going to be a great opportunity for someone like MS Dhoni and I am sure he is going to relish that. Also, Suresh Raina not being there, you want to have some experienced player batting at No 3, so it could be MS Dhoni now,” he added.
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The CSK management is yet to announce a replacement for either of Suresh Raina or Harbhajan Singh. Given the depth of this Chennai side, it might even be not required.