GT vs CSK: MS Dhoni's biggest weakness exposed by Sam Curran, sensationally claims Navjot Singh Sidhu

Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu praised the Punjab Kings' (PBKS) stand-in captain, Sam Curran, for a strategic move during the match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Navjot Sidhu credited Curran for studying and using spin against MS Dhoni, which outsmarted the former CSK skipper.

Sam Curran handed the ball to Rahul Chahar in the 19th over of the Chennai Super Kings innings at Chepauk on Wednesday, May 1. Chahar restricted Dhoni from scoring and gave away just three runs. The right-arm leg-spinner managed to dismiss Moeen Ali, who scored 14 runs off 11 deliveries.

They Got Gone In By Something Unexpected - Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu commended Sam Curran for exploiting MS Dhoni's weakness against spin, labeling it a 'master stroke'. Sidhu noted Curran's astuteness in recognizing Dhoni's lack of spin practice and using it to his team's advantage.

"They got done in by something unexpected. They used Dhoni's own medicine against him to fool him. Look at Dhoni's practice. He always smashes those long hits in the nets against fast bowlers. He hasn't practiced spin. In the entire tournament, if Dhoni has played 6 overs, they've all been against spin. But Punjab's captain [Sam Curran] played a master stroke. He employed a spinner," Sidhu said on Star Sports.

Harpreet Brar claimed figures of 2/17, while Rahul Chahar also contributed with two wickets for 16 runs. CSK managed to score 162 runs in the allotted 20 overs. The Sam Curran-led team chased down the target with seven wickets and 13 balls to spare, securing their fifth consecutive win over CSK.

MS Dhoni Wasn't Prepared - Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu noted that Dhoni appeared unprepared to face the challenge posed by Rahul Chahar. The cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned Harpreet Brar's delivery to Shivam Dube, which resulted in a dismissal.

"Dhoni wasn't prepared. For 7-8 months, he hasn't faced him. It was almost as if he was startled. Tactic is like how you take the stinger out of the bee without getting stung. And that is where the game turned. And on top of it, Harpreet Brar bowled a faster one to Shivam Dube. Cannoned onto the stumps," Sidhu was quoted as saying by HT.

The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team avenged their previous loss to PBKS by securing a 28-run victory at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday. Dhoni surprised everyone by batting at No. 9 for the first time in his IPL career. However, the veteran batter was dismissed for a first-ball duck off Harshal Patel.

It Doesn't Help The Team's Cause - Irfan Pathan

Former India bowler Irfan Pathan criticized MS Dhoni for batting at number nine. Pathan suggested that Dhoni should take the responsibility of batting up the order for at least 4 to 5 overs, rather than batting in the last over or last 2 overs.

"MS Dhoni batting at No.9 doesn’t work for CSK, it’s doesn’t help the team’s cause. I know that he is 42, but he is in solid form. He should be taking the responsibility of batting up the order. He should bat for at least 4 to 5 overs. He is batting for the last over or last 2 overs and that doesn’t serve the purpose for CSK for a long term,” Pathan told Star Sports. 

Dhoni has scored 110 runs in 11 matches with an average of 55 and an impressive strike rate of over 224, with his best score of 37 not out. Chennai Super Kings currently stand in third place in the points table with 12 points in 11 matches, having secured six victories and five losses.

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