MS Dhoni's Batting Position Stirs Controversy as Virender Sehwag Takes a Dig at the CSK Legend

The recent Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru game was the one that created a huge controversy regarding MS Dhoni's batting position. CSK lost by a crushing 50 runs against RCB but what surprised the fans and cricket pundits was Dhoni coming out to bat at number nine. Most were taken aback to find him walking in so late in the innings, behind the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Dhoni, a master finisher, had a brief but thrilling knock, scoring an unbeaten 30 runs from 16 balls. For all his good batting, his contribution did not make much difference to the game as CSK had already fallen too far behind to catch up.

Ex-cricketers and commentators differed in their views on why Dhoni is batting so low down the order. In the last couple of seasons, Dhoni has opted to bat later, receiving only a handful of deliveries in every match. Some opined that it is a tactical move, while others think that he should bat higher up so that he gets more time in the middle. Fans were especially dissatisfied with the batting lineup since they wanted to witness more of Dhoni, but he came in when the game was nearly beyond recovery.

Virender Sehwag, who is famous for his blunt and witty observations, made a tongue-in-cheek remark regarding Dhoni's batting style. During a discussion about the match on Cricbuzz, Sehwag made a joke that Dhoni came in early because he tends to bat in the last two overs. His observation made his co-panelists laugh, including India veteran Manoj Tiwary. Sehwag observed that Dhoni walked in when 16 overs were already bowled, which was out of the ordinary since he usually walks in between the 19th or 20th over. His comment fueled the controversy on whether Dhoni needs to alter his batting position or maintain his present style.

In spite of the talks regarding his batting position, Dhoni provided something for the fans to look forward to. With each fall of a CSK wicket, the fans were agitated, expecting to see their idol take the field. When he eventually batted, he treated the crowd to some solid blows, scoring three boundaries and sending two huge sixes in the last over against Krunal Pandya. Although CSK lost the game, Dhoni's performance was one of the positives for the team.

The game also witnessed Dhoni register another milestone in his legendary career. He became the top run-scorer for Chennai Super Kings, surpassing Suresh Raina. Dhoni has 4699 runs in 204 innings for CSK with a stunning average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 139.43. Raina, who was one of CSK’s best batsmen before retiring, had scored 4687 runs in 171 innings. This achievement added another chapter to Dhoni’s remarkable journey in the Indian Premier League.

Other players who have scored the most runs for CSK include Faf du Plessis, who made 2721 runs in 86 innings before moving to Delhi Capitals as vice-captain. Present skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has already made 2433* runs in 67 innings, and he is likely to contribute plenty more to the total. Ravindra Jadeja, a long-time member of CSK, has made 1939 runs in 127 innings. Gaikwad and Jadeja are present players for CSK, while du Plessis has shifted to a different team this year.

Dhoni’s decision to bat lower in the order will likely continue to be a talking point throughout the IPL season. Some believe that he is trying to manage his workload, while others feel that he still has the ability to make a big impact if he bats earlier. With his experience and leadership, Dhoni is still an integral part of CSK, as a player as well as as a mentor for the team. Whether he bunts late again or shifts up the order, fans will never tire of seeing him play and make more moments on the cricket pitch.