Former Test player Harbhajan Singh has offered advice to former Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, suggesting that if he intends to bat at number nine, he should refrain from taking to the crease altogether.
During the Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings clash at Dharamshala Stadium in Himachal Pradesh, Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious by 28 runs. However, it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s unusual batting position that sparked discussions once again, as he surprised everyone by batting at number nine.
Dhoni’s stint at the crease lasted just one delivery before he was dismissed by Harshal Patel. Harbhajan Singh expressed his disappointment, stating that if Dhoni wished to occupy the number nine position, he would be better off not playing at all. He emphasized the importance of including a fast bowler in the playing eleven instead. Harbhajan further criticized Dhoni’s decision-making, asserting that he let the team down by not fulfilling his batting duties.
Commenting on the matter, Harbhajan remarked that Shardul Thakur, who batted ahead of Dhoni, lacks the batting prowess of Dhoni, leading to confusion regarding the batting order. He dismissed the notion that the decision to send Dhoni down the order was made without his consent, firmly stating that Dhoni is the ultimate decision-maker in such matters.
Despite limited opportunities in this IPL season, Dhoni has made significant contributions with the bat whenever given the chance. With 110 runs scored from 49 balls at a strike rate of 224, Dhoni’s performance remains noteworthy. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Dhoni to see how he fares in the upcoming matches.
