Ex-KKR team director comes up with stunning theory to explain MS Dhoni's decision to play IPL 2024 with a muscle tear

MS Dhoni's batting position in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) has raised a number of eyebrows. While the former India skipper has played a number of useful cameos for Chennai Super Kings this season, his decision to face only a handful of delivery has invited criticism from him.

In the last game against Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings were reeling at 101 for 5 in the 13th over and then 122 for 6 in the 16th over. While not many were expecting MS Dhoni to come out to bat in the 13th over, his decision to not come out in the 16th over as well left many baffled.

He eventually came out to bat at number nine in the 19th over. Unlike the previous games, MS Dhoni failed to get going against Punjab Kings as Harshal Patel dismissed him for a golden duck. Following the failure, not only the fans but several experts criticised the former India skipper as well for his decision. 

The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman's former India and IPL teammate Harbhajan Singh went as far as saying that he should not play if he wants to bat as low as number nine. Harbhajan opined that having a pacer instead of MS Dhoni batting at number nine would be a better option for CSK.

"MS Dhoni shouldn't play if he wants to bat at number 9. Including a fast bowler other than him in the XI is better. He is the decision-maker and has disappointed his team by not coming out to bat," Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports.

“Shardul Thakur came ahead of him. He can never hit shots like Dhoni. I don't understand why Dhoni made this mistake. Nothing happens without his permission, and I am not ready to accept that someone else decided to demote him," he added.

Former IPL official's theory on MS Dhoni's decision:

While  MS Dhoni has been facing criticism from several quarters for his batting position in IPL 2024, a recent report has stated that the former India skipper is struggling with injury once again. The former CSK skipper is carrying a muscle tear in his leg which prevents him from running too long on the field.

As a result, MS Dhoni has been facing only a handful of deliveries whenever he is getting the chance. He had faced a similar situation last year as well when he played with a knee injury throughout the season. Amidst all these, former Kolkata Knight Riders Team Director Joy Bhattacharjya has come up with a theory to explain the reason behind Dhoni playing this season while carrying an injury.

"Here's my Dhoni theory. He's playing on with his muscle tear for his two most important constituencies, his fans and his team. The part about saying goodbye to his fans around the country is obvious. What we might be missing is why he chooses to play on for the team," Joy Bhattacharjya wrote on X.

"Conway is injured, which means the only other keeper in their squad is young Aravelly Avanish, certainly quite a way off from first XI duties. Dhoni also probably wants to give just enough support to Ruturaj to make sure that the transition is smooth this time around. Next year is the big auction, and if he sees them through this year, they will go in with a lot of cash and a young core," he added.

Here's my Dhoni theory. He's playing on with his muscle tear for his two most important constituencies, his fans and his team.
The part about saying goodbye to his fans around the country is obvious. What we might be missing is why he chooses to play on for the team.
Conway is…

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) May 7, 2024

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