MS Dhoni was expected to perform in IPL 2020, but the break saw rustiness to creep in according to Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the former Indian opener and captain who feels that gap between the 2019 ODI World Cup and IPL harmed Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a batsman.
MS Dhoni himself went on leave after semi-final defeat in 2019 World Cup to New Zealand before the coronavirus pandemic affected the globe resulting in cancellations and postponements of various tournaments including IPL.
MS Dhoni’s Record As White Ball Batsman Second To None: Kris Srikkanth
MS Dhoni retired through an Instagram post on 15th August from international cricket. Still, she continued to lead CSK, but CSK are now placed bottom of the points table after suffering as many as eight losses in 11 matches meaning the chance to qualify for playoffs are virtually over and almost impossible.
In his column for the Times of India, Srikkanth wrote, “A lot of time and energy has been spent on discussing Dhoni’s approach as a batsman and strategies he adopted as captain in the ongoing league. The world has come to expect a lot from the veteran and rightly so.
“His record as a white ball batsman and captain is second to none. In my opinion, the break from the World Cup in 2019 to this IPL allowed some rustiness to creep in. The script could have been different had the tournament happened in April.”
MS Dhoni’s team suffered a massive 10-wicket loss in Friday’s clash against Mumbai Indians which was their worst defeat as they could manage only 114/9 which even looked impossible at one stage as they were 4 wickets down scoring only 3 runs.
“I have seen many great batsmen get in to a rut and unless you possess the greatest of technique, the best way to come back to form is to take an aggressive approach. Dhoni should have played like the Dhoni of old, where he was fearless and attacking.
“He never allowed the bowler to dictate terms; unfortunately he allowed the bowlers to gain an upper hand in almost every innings this season. As far Dhoni’s tactics as captain goes, I didn’t really understand why he refused to play the youngsters in the side.” Srikkanth added.
MS Dhoni constantly backed out of form Kedar Jadhav who scored less than run a ball accumulating 62 runs only in 8 matches and Piyush Chawla who leaked runs at a staggering rate of more than 9 per over. MS Dhoni managed only 180 runs in 11 matches averaging 25.71.
MS Dhoni Should Have Backed Uncapped Indian Talent: Kris Srikkanth
MS Dhoni, one of the game’s best finishers who took more than a year off after India’s elimination from the World Cup in 2019, has been extremely criticized for his go-slow approach this season.
“The biggest win for Dhoni the leader was the 2013 Champions Trophy. The manner in which he shaped that young side to become world-beaters was probably his high point as a leader. I expected the same from him in UAE but he chose otherwise. All other teams have done better by backing their uncapped Indian talent. ” Srikkanth concluded.
KM Asif, Ravi Rai Kishore and Monu Kumar were uncapped cricketers who weren’t given a single chance. In contrast, veteran last year’s purple cap winner and maximum wicket-taker Imran Tahir was given a chance in the last match against Mumbai Indians after being kept out for the first 10 matches.
Mitchell Santner wasn’t given a chance while Lungi Ngidi played only two matches but was in the bench for the remaining matches. The backing of out of form Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay and Piyush Chawla backfired and Ruturaj Gaikwad and injured Dwayne Bravo had an offseason.