The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a 50-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) game at home. Chasing a target of 197, CSK could only score 146-8 in 20 overs and suffered a massive defeat. CSK lost the top order early and needed a special effort from the middle order to sail them through. Unfortunately, the team didn’t get any momentum and lost the game.
This was one game where MS Dhoni could have played a pivotal role with the bat for the team. Dhoni, who bats only a handful of balls and tries to tonk as many sixes as possible, could have promoted himself and got the innings back on track with a fast cameo. However, Dhoni came out to bat at number nine, even after R Ashwin. He scored 32 runs in 16 balls, with two sixes and three fours, but the game was already done and dusted.
The former CSK captain had earlier revealed why he bats so low in the batting order. In an interview with JioHotstar ahead of the IPL 2025, Dhoni revealed that he is not competing for a place in the national team so he wants to give other players a chance before him.
“So, if you see, there was a problem in my knee, but it was more manageable than anything else last year. Also, there was a selection for the T20 World Cup. If you look at our team, who were the contenders? Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) was among the contenders, and Shivam Dube was among the contenders, so you obviously want to give them a chance. I don’t want to get selected. I am not competing for that place,” said Dhoni.
Dhoni backed his decision to bat low in the order saying the players who are batting ahead of him are also doing well and the franchise is not getting harmed by his decision.
