Irfan Pathan slams MS Dhoni for coming out to bat in Hyderabad

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan raised concerns about the Chennai Super Kings' decision to keep MS Dhoni lower in the batting order. Irfan Pathan suggested that MS Dhoni could have capitalized on facing Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat's bowling more effectively.

The Chennai Super Kings faced a six-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, April 5. Despite his impressive performance against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Visakhapatnam, MS Dhoni was positioned at No. 7 in the batting order.

The former CSK skipper scored an unbeaten 37 runs off 16 balls, including four boundaries and three maximums against Delhi in Vizag, prompting speculation on whether the Super Kings would deploy him earlier in subsequent matches to leverage his exceptional batting form.

MS Dhoni's Late Entry Amid Chennai Super Kings' Batting Struggles in Final Overs

The Chennai-based team lost Rachin Ravindra's wicket in the fourth over after being asked to bat first. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to capitalize on his start as he was dismissed for 26 runs off 21 balls. Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube steadied the innings with a crucial partnership.

SRH skipper Pat Cummins dismissed Shivam Dube in the 14th over, prompting expectations for Chennai to send out MS Dhoni at No. 5. However, Ravindra Jadeja was sent in instead, with Daryl Mitchell at 6. Mitchell struggled against the Sunrisers' slower deliveries, scoring 13 runs off 11 balls.

With just three balls left in the innings, MS Dhoni walked out and faced only two deliveries, scoring a single against Natarajan as CSK reached a total of 165 for five in their allotted 20 overs. The Chennai team could only add 38 runs in the last five overs, despite losing just one wicket.

MS Dhoni Should Have Batted Up The Order - Irfan Pathan 

Irfan Pathan criticized the decision to keep MS Dhoni lower in the batting order. Pathan emphasized that Dhoni should have been promoted up the order for better strategic advantage against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Considering off cutter planning in to the pitch and match up against Bhuvi and Unadkat, Dhoni the right hand batsman should have batted up the order in this match vs SRH,” Pathan wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Considering off cutter planning in to the pitch and match up against Bhuvi and Unadkat, Dhoni the right hand batsman should have batted up the order in this match vs SRH.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 5, 2024

I Can't Understand - Michael Vaughan

During a discussion on Cricbuzz, former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Simon Doull expressed surprise at the Chennai Super Kings' strategy. Vaughan highlighted Dhoni's recent performance, while Doull noted Dhoni's capability to handle slower deliveries.

“On the back of what he did in the last game, I'm amazed he did not come out to bat earlier. I can't understand why he's been out there for just three balls,” said Michael Vaughan

“He has the ability and power to hit those slower balls. We have seen it, he has done it in the past, but I was a bit surprised,” Doull added.

MS Dhoni will be next seen in action when the Super Kings face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their next match at their home ground, MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai on Monday, April 8. 

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