Former India opener Gautam Gambhir said that MS Dhoni should promote himself in the batting order once the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ensured a playoff berth. Notably, CSK registered a convincing six-wicket win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
All their batsmen did well in the run chase, with MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina giving the finishing touches as well. During a discussion on Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir shared that MS Dhoni should bat up the order.
“MS Dhoni should bat at No.4 once CSK qualifies for the playoffs, irrespective of whether you are chasing or batting first so that you are able to spend time in the middle. I will want to see that, hopefully it happens. The best thing about a captain is that it is his own wish, he can bat anywhere he wants,” he elaborated.
Suresh Raina 🤝 MS Dhoni
Finishing the job for CSK since 2008 😁#RCBvCSK ⏩ https://t.co/d5u88VEJp9 pic.twitter.com/85DX8F2HOW
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 24, 2021
“Your No.3 and No.4 will not always score runs. You need to bat a little more. The more runs you score, it will keep getting easier. You will qualify for the playoffs but it should not happen that the responsibility falls on you, you lose early wickets and you have to come and score runs,” Gautam Gambhir continued.
“If MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina get their form, it will be the icing on the cake” – Irfan Pathan
Last 5 over cost #RCB As usual credit goes to @msdhoni for his Captaincy. Brilliant use of mind all over that makes comfortable chase.#RCBvCSK pic.twitter.com/9xWygXxbJe
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) September 24, 2021
MS Dhoni, however, has scored just 51 runs in the six matches he has played this year. He will certainly hope to play a longer stint in the middle in the upcoming games. even, Irfan Pathan also stated that MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina regaining their form will give the CSK batting lineup a major boost.
“The confidence CSK will get from this innings is also a good thing. If you have Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Rayudu and Moeen Ali – all these four in form, then if MS Dhoni and Raina get their form, it will be the icing on the cake,” he added.
He also added that MS Dhoni and Raina can play big knocks if they get back to their rhythm.
“Considering that, it is great news for CSK that Raina and MS Dhoni played unbeaten knocks. They are just two points away from qualification and they will qualify. So they will need crucial runs from them, if you are in form it makes a difference. You can expect 20-25 runs off ten deliveries from both of them,” Pathan concluded.
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