Legendary CSK cricketer MS Dhoni got a chance to showcase his finishing capabilities during CSK’s match against RCB at Chepauk. However, Dhoni wasn’t in the mood to take any undue risks after he arrived at the crease.
The CSK legend instead played a few balls before unleashing himself in the final two overs. However, his safety-first approach didn’t help his team as CSK lost the match comfortably in the end. Dhoni’s approach was criticized by many experts as he didn’t go for the win.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif explained Dhoni’s approach and feels that it could be a warning sign for the bowlers in the upcoming games. Kaif feels that Dhoni was just trying to get his eyes in before the upcoming matches.
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Mohammad Kaif explains MS Dhoni’s batting strategy
During a conversation on Star Sports, Mohammad Kaif was asked about MS Dhoni’s unusual knock against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kaif feels that Dhoni might want to prevent himself from injuries ahead of a long IPL season.
“If I think about it (MS Dhoni coming late), maybe he thinks that it is a long season and might not risk himself getting injured going forward. He comes to bat in the last 3-4 overs and that is his plan,” Kaif observed.
Kaif further reminded everyone that Dhoni is 43 years old and it’s not easy for him to come and hit the first ball for a six. Although he has the capability, but he hardly plays cricket throughout the year.
“In this game, he came at No. 9 after (Ravichandran) Ashwin and there was a short-leg and a slip as the bowlers create some pressure. You should not expect a player who doesn’t play cricket for a year to hit a six off the first delivery. He hits sixes but we must not hope him to hit a six every time. So, he gave himself time,” he noted.
“He gave one match to himself” – Mohammad Kaif on MS Dhoni’s knock
Mohammad Kaif further recalled how Dhoni targeted Krunal Pandya after the bowler threw a bouncer at him. He feels that Dhoni gave away this match to regain some form and he will be dangerous in the upcoming matches.
“When Krunal (Pandya) bowled a bouncer (short ball) later, he hit two sixes off the next two balls. It means he gave away a match just to regain some form. Although the team has lost, but he wanted to be back into the groove,” said Kaif.
“He is 43 and the engine is definitely old. So, he gave one match to himself and the fans. After the bouncer, he showed to Krunal that he has still got it. For me, there are two stories from the match. Virat Kohli was it by a bouncer and the next ball was a six. Dhoni also did the same. The bowlers must be wary ahead of the upcoming matches,” he added.
@msdhoni rolled back the years vs #RCB, launching a few into the stands!💥 But was it too little, too late for #CSK?@MohammadKaif breaks down his batting approach & what it means for the rest of the season! #IPLonJioStar 👉 GT 🆚 MI | SAT, 29 MAR, 6:30 PM | LIVE on Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/Ss0OaRFSRX
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 29, 2025
MS Dhoni’s entertaining knock in vain
Despite not taking many risks, MS Dhoni smashed 30 off just 16 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. He hardly took any risks before the penultimate over of the match bowled by Josh Hazlewood, when he struck two consecutive fours.
In the final over bowled by Krunal Pandya, he smashed two consecutive sixes after the spinner threw a bouncer at him. Krunal tried to bowl another short ball at his body but the veteran managed to hit send the ball towards the leg-side boundary.
RCB won the match by 50 runs and registered their first win at Chepauk after 17 years. The defeat is also CSK’s biggest defeat at home as they were totally outclassed by a better team on the day.
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