Chennai Super Kings lost the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday, incurring their first defeat of the season. But, hardly any CSK fan would be in a damp mood despite the result, having witnessed an MS Dhoni special at Vizag. Though CSK fell short of their target by 20 odd runs, there was no absence of entertainment as Dhoni produced a fine cameo of 16-ball 37. Some of the shots that the ‘Thala’ produced on the night made fans nostalgic as the crowd witnessed Dhoni conjuring the age-old magic yet again.
Dhoni, now aged 42, did enough with the bat to make former Australia stars Brett Lee and Shane Watson issue a plea to CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad about the wicket-keeper batter’s promotion up the order.
“He was on tonight, he was not rusty. I do want more from him in terms of batting. Get yourself up the order. He is outstanding, his brain is still nice and sharp, CSK please get MS Dhoni up the order,” the former Aussie fast bowler said on Jio Cinema.
“With MS Dhoni in this type of form – this is exactly what you want from him. His power and the skill he has got under pressure when the bowlers are really scrambling to execute, his ability to win a game out of nowhere we have seen so many times through his career. Some of his shots he played tonight, that’s as good a shot I have ever seen him play. The one over cover is one of the harder shots to play, but he is still doing it,” the former Australia all-rounder said.
With the arrival of the Impact Substitute rule, CSK’s middle-order has further strengthened. Against Delhi, hard-hitter Shivam Dube came in as the substitute, sending Dhoni further down the order.
However, with CSK looking to prepare the next generation, it’s tough to see the management promoting Dhoni up the order as this might be his last season in the IPL as a player.
