Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain, has emphasized his belief that MS Dhoni should remain positioned as a finisher for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Despite suggestions from fans and experts advocating for Dhoni to bat higher in the order following his explosive innings of 37 not out off 16 balls against Delhi Capitals (DC), Clarke asserts that Dhoni’s role as a lower-order batsman suits him best.
Clarke asserts that Dhoni’s exceptional ability to finish matches makes him the greatest finisher the game has ever witnessed. He argues against the notion of promoting Dhoni up the batting order, even though Dhoni demonstrated his excellent form during the match against DC in Vizag.
During the match, Dhoni showcased his batting prowess batting at No. 8, playing a remarkable cameo that proved crucial for CSK. However, former cricketers like Sanjay Manjrekar echo Clarke’s sentiments, suggesting that Dhoni should stick to his lower-order role. Manjrekar points out that elevating Dhoni’s batting position would mean displacing other competent batsmen like Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja, or Shivam Dube, which may not be the best strategic move.
Manjrekar emphasizes Dhoni’s strengths in wicketkeeping, mentoring players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, and his ability to make impactful cameos with just a few balls faced. He suggests that sending Dhoni higher up the order, such as at No. 3 or No. 4, might not be advantageous for the team’s overall strategy.
