'A player like Dhoni...': Harbhajan Singh critiques CSK's choice of sending Dhoni down the order

MS Dhoni (Pic: AFP)

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on Monday voiced skepticism over MS Dhoni's batting position during the Chennai Super Kings' clash against the Punjab Kings in the ongoing IPL 2024.

For the first time in his illustrious T20 career, the in-form CSK stalwart appeared to bat at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, positioned at number 9.

As anticipation built for the anticipated fireworks from the seasoned campaigner's bat, Harshal Patel's delightful off-cutter on the final delivery of the penultimate over extinguished the excitement, as Dhoni returned to the pavilion without scoring.

Harbhajan queried the tactical decision to hold Dhoni until the final moments instead of promoting him up the order, which could have allowed the in-form batsman to have a substantial impact.

"I don't understand, he is in such good form and he is coming so low in the batting order to bat. He got dismissed on the first ball but I was hopeful that he would come in place of Mitchell Santner in the 14th over. He could have made a big impact. I don't understand why is he coming so low in the batting order. At no. 9 a bowler comes to bat not a player like Dhoni who has the calibre as well as the form to score runs. It was hard to understand what was the strategy behind that decision," he remarked on his YouTube channel.

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A well-disguised off-cutter on the stumps dipped sufficiently to evade Dhoni's bat and dislodge the off-stump. While Dhoni admirers were left in disbelief, the PBKS contingent reveled in jubilation. Co-owner Preity Zinta beamed with delight as PBKS supporters celebrated witnessing the veteran's dismissal for a duck.

Despite their batting shortcomings, the 42-year-old etched his name in history by becoming the first player ever to reach 150 catches in the cash-rich league.

Dhoni claimed a catch to dismiss Jitesh Sharma for a duck during the match. CSK successfully defended their total of 168 runs by restricting PBKS to 139/9, securing victory by 28 runs.

(With agency inputs)