'Met Dhoni Few Days Ago, His Knee...', Irfan Pathan's Honest Evaluation Of CSK Captain's Role In IPL 2024
Chennai Super Kings are set to open the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League by facing off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday, marking the return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni to competitive cricket after his last IPL appearance. However, there is considerable speculation surrounding the role Dhoni will undertake as the captain of CSK this season.
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After undergoing knee surgery following the previous IPL season, Dhoni is fit and ready for the upcoming tournament. However, Chennai Super Kings are facing challenges with their batting order. Devon Conway's absence due to injury, along with Shivam Dube's and Ambati Rayudu's injuries and retirement respectively, have left the team with significant gaps. While they acquired Rachin Ravindra in last year's auction, the 2024 edition will be the Kiwi youngster's debut in the IPL.
With key players missing, there's widespread speculation about Dhoni considering moving himself up the batting order. In recent seasons, the CSK captain has mainly batted towards the lower end, opting for shorter innings and relying on his leadership skills to guide the team to success. However, according to former all-rounder Irfan Pathan, a shift in Dhoni's batting position seems improbable.
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Pathan recently met with Dhoni and observed that despite his knee being in good shape, it won't necessarily prompt Dhoni to alter his batting position. Reflecting on Dhoni's current state, Pathan expressed excitement for fans, noting Dhoni's vintage appearance and pondering whether they will witness the vintage Dhoni on the field as well.
Pathan highlighted the evolution of Dhoni's role over the past couple of years, noting his tendency to enter the game towards the latter stages, play quickfire innings with a high strike rate, and make a memorable impact with fewer deliveries. He suggested that this approach is likely to continue in the upcoming season, with Dhoni aiming to contribute both with his batting and his captaincy. Despite this, Pathan hinted that fans wouldn't mind if Dhoni provided them with a bit more on-field action.
