IPL 2020: CSK skipper MS Dhoni explains why he did not promote himself up the order

IPL 2020: CSK skipper MS Dhoni explains why he did not promote himself up the order
MS Dhoni during post match conference after their defeat to Rajasthan Royals.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had to suffer defeat in their second match after blistering knocks from Steve Smith and Sanju Samson, and a late flourish by Joffra Archer who smashed 27 in the last over to help Rajasthan Royals (RR) cross the 200 mark.

The Dhoni-led side couldn’t surpass the humongous target of 217, set by the Royals.

Chasing the score, the CSK team didn’t get a start they would have wanted. Also, the middle-order collapse at a crucial stage of the innings didn’t help their cause either.

However, what came to light was Dhoni’s promotion down the order. Critics and commentators also thought the captain should have promoted himself up the order to take the team ashore. Dhoni was at the receiving end of criticism for starting his innings slow when the asking rate was 17.

Dhoni did shift gears in the last over of the innings, hitting three consecutive sixes but his late flourish came too late. Others also backed Dhoni’s decision as it improved their overall NRR. And Dhoni himself had an explaination for his decision.

Dhoni’s explanation as to why he didn’t come up the order

Dhoni, who was questioned the same in the post match interview explained, “I haven’t batted for a long time. 14-day quarantine doesn’t help (why he isn’t batting higher). Also wanted to try different things, give opportunities to Sam. Have the opportunity to try different things. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to your strengths.”

In the post match presentation Dhoni said CSK bowlers let the team down.

The former Indian captain, who was disappointed with his team’s bowling performance said, “Their spinners didn’t try too many things. That was an error our spinners did in their first couple of overs. Without singling out anyone, a controllable we could have controlled is no-balls. Had we not bowled no-balls, we would have been chasing 200, and it would have been a very good game.”

However, the CSK captain smashed 3 sixes out of the park in the last over which augurs well for his fans and team and we could soon witness him clobbering the ball and winning matches for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

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