“I think he’s the greatest finisher the game has ever had. Thus, he need not alter it,” Clarke remarked.
The Chennai Super Kings, coached by Ruturaj Gaikwad, have had an intense ride in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The five-time winners are now in fourth position in the rankings with four points after winning two of their last four games.
Many fans have voiced their opinions that the batting order has to be changed because of the season’s ups and downs. They wonder why experienced batsman and former captain MS Dhoni is batting so low in the order.
Recently, Dhoni produced a fantastic knock against the Delhi Capitals in Vizag. In only 16 deliveries, he scored an undefeated 37 runs and struck Anrich Nortje for 20 runs in the last over. Although many people were calling for Dhoni to go up in the order, Michael Clarke and Sanjay Manjrekar felt that the senior player should continue to be the one who finishes.
This implies that he will have to beat out individuals such as Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, or Daryl Mitchell. Is it the appropriate decision? I’m Curious. Maybe not. I want him to do the same thing as the previous season. Few balls, maximum effect. Even in that particular match, he reached a 30-odd score in 16–17 balls. One of MS Dhoni’s skills is his ability to coach Ruturaj and maintain wicket. He also makes cameos. Sanjay Manjrekar told Star Sports that it would not be the best idea to send him out at No. 3 or No. 4.
Clarke, the former captain of Australia, agreed, saying that MS Dhoni has never played any other role in any version of the game but finisher.
“Sanjay, you are exactly right. He is not need to. That has never been his function in the game in any manner. He may have gone up the order on a few instances. But he is a finisher, for the most part. Perhaps the greatest finishing the game has ever seen is him. Thus, he is not required to alter it. The other benefit of having MS Dhoni in your lineup is that it should inspire confidence in the men ahead of him and encourage them to take some early chances. He has worked at enough jobs for a considerable amount of time. Other players need to step up now,” Clarke declared.
