IPL 2021: MS Dhoni needs to bat higher up in the order, guide the team – Sunil Gavaskar

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar believes Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni should bat higher in the batting order and he needs to guide the team. Dhoni has all the experience under his belt but he choose to bat at number seven in the opening match against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

Dhoni, who retired from international cricket back in August 2020, hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the last IPL. In fact, Dhoni had also batted in the lower order in the early phase of IPL 2020 as he didn’t have enough game time under his belt.

Meanwhile, MS was at his best in IPL 2019 when he had batted at no. 4 for the major part of the season. Dhoni had scored 416 runs in 12 innings as he had batted at the top of his game.

“As far as Chennai Super Kings are concerned, MS Dhoni has to take a call on his batting order. Deep down, he might be thinking he is going to bat only the last 4-5 overs. But he also needs to guide the team a little. He is got a team of some youngsters, even Sam Curran is not too old when it comes to international experience. But he batted really well, so yes, maybe have Curran bat higher up the order,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“But at the same time, MSD needs to come up the order somewhere down the line, that is the way, he can control the game. He was out to the 2nd ball that he faced, and that can happen to anyone. But as the tournament progresses, he needs to come up a little bit, maybe at 6 or 5, and show the way,” he added.

Dhoni was dismissed for a blob in the opening match against Delhi Capitals as he chopped the ball back onto his stumps while batting at no. 7. CSK posted 188 runs after Suresh Raina scored 36-ball 54 whereas Sam Curran was able to add the finishing touches as he scored 34 from 15 balls.

Dhoni, 39, is not at the peak of his prowess and it will make sense if he bats in the middle-order, which will give him the freedom to get settled before launching his attack on the opposition bowlers.

The Little Master added that CSK bowlers will need an extra cushion of runs while bowling at the batting paradise of Wankhede Stadium. The Men in Yellow will play their next match against Punjab Kings at Wankhede, Mumbai on 16th April.