Twitter Reacts After MS Dhoni's 'Strange' Knock While Batting At No.7 Against Rajasthan Royals

MS Dhoni once again baffled everyone with his tactics as he strolled out to bat at No.6nin run-chase of 217 as Chennai Super Kings eventually fell short of 16 runs in their second game of the 2020 Dream11 IPL.

With CSK needing such a big target everyone was expecting to Dhoni to take centerstage after the fall of Murali Vijay’s wicket. However, just like the last game, Dhoni sent Sam Curran out to bat ahead of him.

Curran stroked a few lusty blows before he was eventually stumped off the bowling of Rahul Tewatia. Things turned even weirder when Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kedar Jadhav came out to bat ahead of MS Dhoni.

While Gaikwad was stumped on his very first delivery, Kedar Jadhav played some delightful strokes before eventually perishing. By the time Dhoni arrived on the crease, the target had already gone beyond CSK’s reach and the fact that Dhoni scored just 8 runs off his first 11 balls made matters even once.

MS Dhoni reveals the reason behind coming in to bat at No.7

Even when Faf du Plessis was smoking the ball to all corners, Dhoni was content on leaving the ball outside the off-stump, as if he was batting on a fifth-day track to save the Test match for his side- or at the very maximum take singles even as the net run-rate soared past the realms of reality.

When asked about his decision to bat so low down the order, MS Dhoni said that he hasn’t babted for a very long time besides adding that the management is looking to give more opportunities to the likes of Sam Curram in the middle-order. 

It was yet another strange innings from MS Dhoni and an even stranger decision to come at No.7, considering the fact he takes a few balls initially to get himself in. With the game virtually over, Dhoni changed his bat and then proceeded to clobber three consecutive sixes- one of which ended up on the adjoining road- in the last over to baffle his fans and detractors even more.

No wonder, Twitter absolutely erupted following another strange knock by MS Dhoni

Dhoni still leaves you surprised after all these years. Still has that brute power, but his mindset is hard to fathom that you are left with no answer.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) September 22, 2020

MS Dhoni on why didn't come early to bat

"I haven't batted for a very long time, and the 14-day quarantine hasn't really helped."

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) September 22, 2020

Dhoni's wait till the acceleration or the final onslaught.. i think, even those who like him are not often impressed with that calculation behind the 'waiting period'.. although, he has won us matches too in same style.. https://t.co/4WQ7A9vy5T

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 22, 2020

Explain Dhoni in one pic.

Me : pic.twitter.com/NHZOwhowQe

— Dr Smoking Skills (@Smokingskills07) September 22, 2020

MS Dhoni:

Require run rate at arrival = 16.26 (103 needed off 38)

Scores 9 off 12 balls till the 19th over. Not a single aggressive shot intended.

Then, situation gets to 38 needed off last over.

Hits 3 sixes in a row in the last over.

What logic? #IPL2020 #CSKvsRR

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 22, 2020

The second half of our chase was anyway to minimize the loss margin. I guess Dhoni had set around 65-70 runs for last 5 overs before arriving. But cluster of wickets didn't set the stage.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/Kattehaiklu/status/1308466734647500800

Today Dhoni Batting

Last 6 balls First 10 balls pic.twitter.com/pWUFxU8kM9

— ♣️ (@Rebelismm) September 22, 2020

Dhoni? He has to keep the team alive but the game is going away…. .

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 22, 2020

By the time Dhoni settles in, it will be time for the toss of his next match. #CSKvsRR

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/baabuOP/status/1308460502696173568

Dhoni fans waiting for #Dhoni #CSKvsRR pic.twitter.com/H8PkzNgxMm

— RS (@AwaraRish) September 22, 2020

#CSKvsRR
Dhoni fans after seeing hat-trick of sixes after a long time: pic.twitter.com/6Oh0CKQt3D

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) September 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/Joeys_Chandler/status/1308469630810300416

Two balls left, 24 needed and Dhoni was a change of gloves!

Classic.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 22, 2020

When #Csk already lost match, and dhoni starts hitting Sixes, Dhoni fans be like~ pic.twitter.com/S8gGdILM2S

— Aalok (@Chuckle_Some2) September 22, 2020

No one.

Dhoni before 19th over #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/Z5j5NaC5Uf

— Ayush Bansal (@SarcAyushtic) September 22, 2020

CSK fans after Dhoni hitted 3 Sixes in the end??#CSKvsRR pic.twitter.com/bXBqqqVC2j

— Batman (@andherekabaaap) September 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/Ittzz_Rahul/status/1308462978400841728

https://twitter.com/rwt737/status/1308469923035840512

Dhoni Sixes >>>>> Whole Match

Specially Second One ?#CSKvsRR https://t.co/YQS7KpkWzV

— Queen (@Queen72291246) September 22, 2020