IPL 2024: Let MS Dhoni remain a finisher, CSK need other batters to step up – Michael Clarke

Since MS Dhoni smashed a blistering knock of 16-ball 37 against Delhi Capitals, there has been a lot of talk regarding his batting position for Chennai Super Kings. Dhoni is batting at number eight for the defending champions and former Australian skipper Michael Clarke wants the think tank to stick with the same plan.

Clarke wants Dhoni to play as a finisher and feels the other CSK batters need to step up. Dhoni has all the experience under his belt on finishing the innings on a high and he showed against DC that there is still some fuel left in his tank.

CSK has lost its last two matches against Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad and their batters need to play with more responsibility.

Meanwhile, Dhoni was able to add the finishing touches in IPL 2023 for CSK. The talisman scored 104 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 182.45. The CSK captain smashed a total of 10 sixes in the previous season. Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar wants Dhoni to make the maximum impact by facing the minimum balls.

“Which means he will have to come ahead of somebody like a Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja or Shivam Dube. Is that the right call? I Wonder. May be not. I want him to replicate what he did last season. Few balls and maximum impact. And even in that match, when he got 30-odd, he got it in 16-17 balls. MS Dhoni’s strengths likes in his wicketkeeping, being a guide to Ruturaj and his cameos. Sending him at No. 3 or No. 4 may not be such a great idea,” Sanjay Manjrekar said while speaking on Star Sports.

Clarke also concurred with Manjrekar and said Dhoni’s primary job is to add the finishing touches for CSK.

“You are spot on, Sanjay. He doesn’t need to. That’s never been his role in any format of the game. There might have been occasions when he goes up the order. But, generally, he is a finisher. He is probably the best finisher the game has ever seen. So he doesn’t have to change that. The other thing about having MS Dhoni in your team, that should give the players in front of him feel confident, and maybe take a few risks a little bit earlier. He has got enough jobs, and he has done it for a long period of time. It’s time for other players to step up,” Michael Clarke said while speaking on the same panel.

CSK will take on in-form Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk on Monday.