Amid the widespread popularity of MS Dhoni’s explosive innings of an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls towards the Delhi Capitals (DC), cricket pundit Simon Doull provided a contrasting perspective.
Dhoni made his extremely anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) batting debut for the season throughout Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK)’s latest encounter with the Delhi in Visakhapatnam on March 31. As he took to the crease, CSK discovered themselves dealing with a frightening process, needing 72 runs from simply 24 balls – a problem that appeared formidable, but not fully insurmountable.
MS Dhoni’s unconventional innings amid CSK’s defeat within the IPL 2024
Initially, Dhoni’s speedy boundary strikes within the first three balls ignited hopes of a exceptional comeback. Nonetheless, because the match progressed, a well-recognized sample started to emerge. Regardless of the presence of the hard-hitting all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on the different finish, Dhoni opted to monopolize the strike, denying singles and consuming quite a few dot balls, significantly when the required run charge exceeded 40 runs from two overs.
Within the pivotal nineteenth over delivered by Mukesh Kumar, Dhoni confronted a collection of dot deliveries, punctuated solely by a solitary single on the fifth ball. Whereas Dhoni unleashed a flurry of towering sixes and bounds within the ultimate over by Anrich Nortje, it merely narrowed the margin of defeat as CSK finally succumbed by 20 runs.
Additionally WATCH: MS Dhoni hits an unbelievable one-handed six off Anrich Nortje in the course of the DC vs CSK match
Simon Doull’s critique of Dhoni’s innings
Talking on Cricbuzz, Doull scrutinized Dhoni’s innings, remarking on the flurry of pleasure it generated. However, he highlighted Dhoni’s tendency to dam deliveries and accumulate dot balls, which transitioned right into a reluctance to take singles. Doull expressed disbelief at witnessing this behaviour from the esteemed Dhoni, deeming it a poor determination, particularly contemplating the staff’s goal of profitable.
“There was lot of ‘oohs and aahs’ about Dhoni’s innings. But he blocked a lot of balls. he faced a lot of dots. Then he started to not take runs. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I know he is the great MS Dhoni but it was a poor call. Really poor call not to take run. You are still trying to win a game. I know he was batting after a long time, first time he came out to bat in this season and he is probably thinking at some stage maybe he got to find some form but I didn’t agree with it. I didn’t agree with what happen in that situation. To me it was a really poor look,” Doull mentioned.
Doull’s disagreement with Dhoni’s strategy
Regardless of acknowledging Dhoni’s potential must regain type after a chronic absence from batting, Doull disagreed together with his strategy. He described the scenario as a poor reflection and questioned the logic behind Dhoni’s actions, significantly his refusal to take singles even when boundaries weren’t the only requirement.
“I was watching and I was thinking, you know am I allowed to say this… well yeah we have to at some stage you have too. It didn’t look good to me watching on the television. I have enormous amount of respect for the man but that just didn’t quite look right to me, when he was hitting the ball and not taking the runs. Yes, they might need sixes, their might be boundaries only required but there were a lot of ‘oohs and aahs’ made about it. He is back, Dhoni is back, they lost the game,” the 54-year-old added.
Doull’s shock at negligence of Ravindra Jadeja
The half that shocked Doull probably the most was Dhoni’s determination to show down singles when Jadeja was batting on the different finish.
“It’s not like you have got a bunny on the other hand. You have Jadeja at the other end. Think about the final last year, what happened in the final last year… six and four needed of the last two balls to win the title. It’s not like he can’t hit the ball out of the park,” Doull concluded.
CSK will subsequent face Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) of their subsequent match on the Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday (April 5).