Aoba Tanaka 
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment with MS Dhoni, batting position in Chennai Super Kings’ recent IPL match against Punjab Kings. Pathan believes that Dhoni, despite his age, should take more responsibility and bat higher up the order for the team’s success.
In a surprising move during Chennai Super Kings’ clash against Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, MS Dhoni came out to bat at the number 9 spot for the first time in his T20 career. However, his innings was short-lived as he was dismissed for a golden duck by PBKS pacer Harshal Patel.
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan voiced his concerns regarding Dhoni’s batting position, stating that it doesn’t serve the team’s cause. Pathan emphasized Dhoni’s solid form this season and suggested that he should take the responsibility of batting up the order for at least 4 to 5 overs.
“MS Dhoni batting at No.9 doesn’t work for CSK,” Pathan stated in an interview with Star Sports, as quoted by India Today. “He should be taking the responsibility of batting up the order. He is batting for the last over or last 2 overs and that doesn’t serve the purpose for CSK for a long term.”
Despite Dhoni’s superb season with the bat, scoring 110 runs across 7 innings at an impressive average and strike rate, Pathan believes that his batting position needs reconsideration for the team’s playoff chances.
“It might happen that we will see CSK qualify for the playoffs from here on and they need to win 90 percent of their games,” Pathan remarked. “As a proper senior guy, who’s in form, he needs to bat up the order. He can’t be doing the same thing that he has done on quite a few occasions.”
Pathan also highlighted the strategic errors in sending lower-order batsmen like Shardul Thakur ahead of Dhoni and urged for a change in approach. “Someone has to tell Dhoni, ‘Come on mate, bat for 4 overs’,” he emphasized.
Irfan Pathan’s criticism of MS Dhoni’s batting position underscores the importance of strategic decisions in IPL matches. Despite Dhoni’s stellar form, Pathan believes that a change in batting order is necessary for Chennai Super Kings’ long-term success in the tournament.
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