Dhoni faces heat for go-slow in Chennai’s chase

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DUBAI, Sept 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – India great Mahendra Singh Dhoni faced
criticism on Wednesday for his uncharacteristically slow start in Chennai
Super Kings’ unsuccessful run chase in the IPL against Steve Smith’s
Rajasthan Royals.

Dhoni, the Chennai captain, sent up young England allrounder Sam Curran
and Indian Premier League debutant Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of him in his team’s
chase of 217 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday.

Finally coming into bat in the 14th over, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman
scored just 10 runs off his first 13 balls while partner Faf du Plessis was
on a hitting spree in his 72-run blitz including seven sixes.

The former India skipper, who announced his international retirement last
month, only got going in the final over to hit three successive sixes but by
then the chase was beyond Chennai who lost by 16 runs. “This is not what you
call leading from the front. Batting at No. 7 when you’re chasing what…213
(217)? The game was over. Faf was probably the lone warrior,” former India
opener Gautam Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo.

“Yes, you can talk about MS Dhoni’s last over, but it was of no use to be
honest. It was just all personal runs.”

Curran had smashed 18 off six balls after being promoted ahead of Dhoni,
who last played in India’s semi-final exit of the 2019 World Cup, in
Chennai’s win over holders Mumbai Indians in the IPL opener last week.

Dhoni, known for his finishing skills during the peak of his international
career, said his lack of time in the middle prompted him to shuffle the
batting order.

“I haven’t batted for a long time. 14-day quarantine (in the United Arab
Emirates) doesn’t help,” Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on 29, said in the
post-match chat.

“Also wanted to try different things, give opportunities to Sam. Have the
opportunity to try different things. If it doesn’t work, you can always go
back to your strengths.”

Chennai coach Stephen Fleming told reporters, “MS is a specialist at the
end of the innings, always has been.”

But the statements cut little ice with fans who criticised their
cricketing hero with one Twitter user saying, “Next time Dhoni should warm-up
before the match and not during the match”.

Dhoni though got some support from his fans who took note of his three big
sixes with one hit going out of the Sharjah stadium.

The 39-year-old Dhoni has come under fire for batting slowly in the slog
overs during last year’s 50-overs showpiece event.