Should MS Dhoni bat higher up the order for CSK? As we near the business end of IPL 2024, it is time for the contenders to pull up their socks as the competition heats up for the top four spots. The equation now boils down to the team winning their respective games and hoping results elsewhere go their way. This is the predicament that faces the Chennai Super Kings with their stalwart MS Dhoni. The subject of today’s discussion.
Chennai Super Kings Big Hitting Factor
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As expected, things are getting tight in the middle of the points table, following Delhi Capitals’ victory against Rajasthan Royals in yesterday’s game, which put the rising team from India’s capital into 5th position, leaving 5 teams on 12 points apiece, with Delhi having an extra game. Chennai Super Kings on the other hand have had a mixed season. With 6 wins out of 11 games, it is not been a stellar performance by any means.
And this subpar performance can be attributed to several factors. One of course is the poor use of the impact sub from a batting standpoint. A point that we have already engaged. The real trouble for the Chennai Super Kings has been the ability to produce big over consistently. Apart from Shivam Dube, there is a definite lack of big-hitting prowess up top.
Darren Mitchell’s struggles with the bat, mainly regarding the strike rate and lack of runs by Ajinkya Rahane are reasons for concern for the team from South India. To this one, one can add that the lack of big runs from Moeen Ali CSK is badly in need of some power further up the order. Fortunately for them, they do have a power option. The only trouble is that he has been batting at 6 or 7 in the batting order. This needs to change.
Also Read: A Victorious Season for Powerful Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024?
MS Dhoni – Rolling Back the Years for Chennai Super Kings
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The 4 ball innings by the MS Dhoni against the Mumbai Indians was spectacular. Scoring 20 with three back-to-back sixes and a two proved the striking ability of the veteran. And critically it showcased an ability that CSK has been lacking throughout the tournament: to put in those big overs where the team scores close to or above 20 runs.
The experiments with Sameer Rizvi as noted have failed, a problem compounded by a lack of form by Ajinkya Rahane and the now-dropped Rachin Ravindra. The New Zealand opener despite some promising performances at the start of the tournament has failed to live up to expectations, and this has created a clear void in terms of striking ability up the order caused by the injury to the Chennai Super Kings mainstay Devon Conway. This requires a rethink. Especially considering the back-to-back ducks for Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni would be a great choice.
MS Dhoni Should be Batting at 4 or 5
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So the question now what is CSK going to do to increase the power-hitting potential of the team? The answer is simple. Move MS Dhoni up the order. If you think about it the team has little to lose and much to gain.
Having one of the best strikers of a cricket ball for the final 10 or 12 deliveries as a way to, to be a bit cynical, please the fans is not going to go far and are not going to cut it. If this is to be MS Dhoni’s final season with CSK he best go out with a bang. And the best way to do so is by having him face more deliveries up the order. More sixes more victories.
Also Read: Gambhir’s Leadership: From Player to Mentor, Shaping KKR’s Success
About the Author
Damian Thar writes on a range of topics. In addition to his professional work, he writes essays on subjects like philosophy, history, and culture. He also writes and edits books; in his free time, he makes videos for social commentary. You can find his work here.
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