In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mahendra Singh Dhoni is coming to bat at number 8-9. Many cricket experts are questioning this. He says what benefits the team from batting in such a low order.
On this question, Stephen Fleming, coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), said Dhoni's body and knees were not as before. It is difficult for them to bat up to 10 overs.
Fleming said it was a matter of time. Dhoni himself makes this decision. Dhoni is doing well, but there is still a possibility of damage.
Fleming said- Long batting will not be seen
Stephen Fleming said, “On the day of the match, Dhoni himself decides what he can do for the team. If the match is balanced, Dhoni can come to bat a little early. Whenever he gets a chance, he supports other players. This is how Dhoni is making a balance.”
I also said last year that it was invaluable to us. It is not appropriate to bat 9-10 overs and even wicketkeeping for the team.
Knee surgery was performed after the IPL final in 2023
Dhoni was injured in the last over of IPL 2023 when Gujarat Titans' innings.
- Dhoni's knee surgery took place at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on June 1 after the final of the IPL 2023. Dhoni's Operation Dinsha Pardiwala did.
- Dhoni was suffering from knee pain just before the 2023 season began. He was injured in the first match against IPL 2023 Gujarat. In the 19th over of Gujarat's innings, Dhoni dive to stop Deepak Chahar's ball and then grabbed his leg immediately.
- He got up somehow after this injury. Dhoni then continued wicketkeeping. In 2023, he played on his knees throughout the season and played on the field.
Chennai was defeated in two consecutive matches
After the first match of Chennai in IPL 2023, Dhoni always entered the field with a bandage on his left knee.
Chennai suffered a defeat in two consecutive games while chasing the target this season. In both matches, Dhoni came to bat in the lower order. In the first match of the season, Chennai beat Mumbai by 4 wickets. Dhoni also came to bat eighth in this match.
Chennai was defeated by 6 runs in the match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30. In this match, Dhoni also came to bat at seventh and was dismissed for 16 off 11 balls. During his innings he hit a fours and a six.
Chennai suffered a defeat at Chepok on March 28 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the first time after 17 years. The team was chasing 197 runs in this match. This time Dhoni came to bat at 9th. Dhoni was unbeaten on 30 off 16 balls.
Dhoni used to bat at number 3 and 4 before 2023 Dhoni was batting at number 3 and 4 before 2023, but he started batting in the lower order due to a knee injury before the IPL began in 2023.
In all the matches played since 2023, in which CSK has won while chasing the run, Dhoni's batting contributed. Dhoni's contribution to the three matches won by CSK during the chase is only three runs. In these matches, Dhoni faced 9 balls in three innings and scored only three runs.
Image Credit: Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).