MS Dhoni’s decision to bat at number seven against CSK, was something that former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir does not seem pretty happy about. Talking to Cricket Connected on Star Sports Gambhir criticised this move by the CSK skipper. Chasing 217 to win, Chennai lost the match by 16 runs as Dhoni was unbeaten on 29 off 17 balls.
“MS Dhoni batting at No. 7? And sending [Ruturaj] Gaikwad before him, Sam Curran before him. Makes no sense to me. In fact, you should be leading from the front. And this is not what you call leading from the front. Batting at No. 7 when you’re chasing what… 213 [217]? The game was over. Faf was probably the lone warrior” Gautam Gambhir said.
The likes of Sam Curran, Kedar Jadhav and Ruturaj Gaikwad walked out to bat ahead of Dhoni during the chase. While Curran played a cameo (17off 6 balls), Gaikwad was out for a duck. Jadhav scored 22 off 16 balls batting in the middle-overs, as CSK lacked intensity in the run-chase.
Also Read: CSK Coach Stephen Fleming Explains Why MS Dhoni’s Batted at No.7
MS Dhoni’s Runs Were Totally Personal- Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir further said that the runs Dhoni scored were totally personal as by the time the CSK skipper walked out to bat, the side had already lost the game.
“Yes, you can talk about MS Dhoni’s last over [when he hit three sixes], but it was of no use to be honest. They were all just personal runs. There is nothing wrong if you end up getting out early, at least start leading from the front, trying to inspire the team as well,” Gambhir said.
Dhoni and Du Plessis added 65 for the seventh wicket with Chennai needing 79 off 24 balls.
Rahul Tewatia with his spell of 3 for 37 closed the game for Rajasthan even before the arrival of Dhoni at the crease.
Also Read: MS Dhoni Reveals Why He Batted Deep Down In The Order
