Former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar has found MS Dhoni’s batting position in IPL 2021 a bit strange. The CSK skipper batted at the number seven spot in the two games he played in IPL 2021 so far. MS Dhoni batted at this lower-order position in two of CSK’s three games, as he didn’t get a chance for batting in the match against Punjab Kings.
At the number seven batting position, MS Dhoni has not been able to showcase his magical batting so far. During CSK’s previous match against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni could only score 18 runs off 17 balls. He smashed two boundaries but lost his wicket before gaining any momentum. In the match against Delhi Capitals, the 39-year-old batsman lost his wicket for a duck.
MS Dhoni Walking Out To Bat At No. 7 Is A Bit Strange: Ajit Agarkar
While speaking to ESPNCrcinfo, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar said maybe MS Dhoni is looking at his role of being a wicket-keeper and mentor more than batting.
“Maybe that’s the way he looks at his role: captaining the team, being the mentor and wicketkeeper, more than batting. It’s still early in the tournament; we will know for sure in the next two or three games.
“But for MS Dhoni walking out to bat at no. 7 when the situation is almost tailor-made, and he has done it so many times over his career was a bit strange for me,” said Ajit Agarkar.
Agarkar also asserted that since Dhoni didn’t play any cricket between IPLs, batting has become even harder for him at this age.
“It’s so early in the tournament, he doesn’t have any cricket between IPLs, which makes it even harder as you age, and no matter what you see, the guys who are scoring runs in the IPL have come with some sort of form. There’s no substitute for playing competitive cricket. Maybe that’s the way he is looking at it (now),” Ajit Agarkar further said.
MS Dhoni has not been able to make a mark in batting but has done a good job as the captain of Chennai Super Kings. The team has won 2 matches out of 3, with Chennai Super Kings dominating the opposition in the previous two victories.
Chennai Super Kings are placed on the 2nd spot in IPL 2021 points table. Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game on April 21. The match will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.