IPL 2021: Even as MS Dhoni’s batting position is being discussed, Deep Dasgupta, speaking to Sports Today, said Chennai Super Kings don’t have to worry too much about their captain’s rusty start to the new season.
Speaking to Sports Today, Deep Dasgupta pointed out that CSK have the batting depth and firepower to be flexible according to the game situation in IPL 2021. The former wicketkeeper’s comments came even as Dhoni’s batting position is being discussed after the CSK skipper came in at No. 7 in the two games he has played so far for CSK.
Dhoni batted after in-form Sam Curran in their 6-wicket win over Punjab Kings last week but the skipper walked in ahead of Curran on Monday against Rajasthan Royals after they were sent in to bat. Dhoni came into bat when CSK had lost two wickets in the 14th over.
The former India batsman looked rusty as he took 6 balls to get off the mark before getting out for a 17-ball 18. Late cameos from Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo thought helped Chennai Super Kings post a match-winning total of 188 in Mumbai.
“He is extremely practical and pragmatic. He would know where he stands and he would know where the others stand. Trust him to take a call, it will not be putting himself above someone else with better form. If you look at the last game, he did not come ahead of Sam Curran. He is extremely practical. He knows what the situation is at the ground level,” Dasgupta said.
“Yes, if you haven’t been playing games, you will (look rusty) in the first couple of games. But you don’t have to worry about it. And they have got batting till 11. They have Dwayne Bravo at No. 9. I don’t really think they have to worry too much but they need to get their batting order right depending on the situation.
“I thought they got it right (against) RR. It’s not important which number you bat in, according to me, in T20s, only your openers are fixed and everything else becomes flexible. If your openers get a good start in 7-8 overs, then you need to be flexible. I think CSK can afford to be flexible,” he said.
MS Dhoni knows what he has to do: Pragyan Ojha
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha also echoed Dasgupta’s take on MS Dhoni batting order for CSK in IPL 2021, saying the 3-time championship-winning captain is unlikely to promote himself higher up the order unless he feels the need to do so.
Notably, Dhoni did not play any competitive cricket after IPL 2020 even as his CSK teammates got game time in the international cricket season before this year’s edition of the T20 league. On Monday, Dhoni himself conceded that his slow start could have cost CSK the game on another day.
“Everybody knows MS Dhoni. He knows exactly what he has to do. How much ever people say that he has to come up the order, he will continue to play at the same position. He will not come up the order until he feels that at some point in time, his time requires him to come up the order,” Ojha said.
Having won two matches on the bounce, CSK will be confident when they face Kolkata Knight Riders in their penultimate match of the season in Mumbai on Wednesday, April 22.
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