Explained: Why Ruturaj Gaikwad Should Promote MS Dhoni In IPL 2025 Match Vs RR?

Why MSD should bat up the order [Source: AP Photo]

Once again the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and again, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad elected to field first. In the first two matches of the tournament, CSK batted second and the trend will continue as they will again be tested in tricky conditions against a quality Rajasthan Royals attack.

One issue which haunted CSK in their last game against RCB was the batting position of MS Dhoni. He came at 9 down when the match was done and dusted and despite his quick-fire knock, the Super Kings were never really in the hunt and lost the match by 50 runs.

The same mistake shouldn't be made against RR and here is why Gaikwad should promote MSD up the order.

Only good hitter of spin apart from Shivam Dube

The Super Kings middle order lacks the fire-power and they certainly lack the ability to deal with quality spin-bowling attack. MS Dhoni certainly has that ability to take down the spinners and specifically for this reason, he should bat up the order. Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Hooda don't have the firepower to deal with spinners and this is where MSD can come in, soak up the pressure and go for the big shots.

(MS Dhoni stats Vs Spin in 2023, 24 season)

The sample size is small since MSD comes down the order, but if we look at the strike-rate, then it is extraordinary. Last season he struck at 142.9 and it shows that he has the ability to take down the spinners with ease.

Best handler of pressure situation

In the batting lineup, when the situation gets tougher, CSK batting usually crumble. We witnessed it in the last game against RCB as everyone crumbled when pressure mounted.

However, despite coming in at number 9 with no match practice, Dhoni blasted quick-fire runs and it shows that he still has the gas left in the tank. Time and again for India and for CSK, MSD has absorbed the pressure and against RR, the target is expected to be a big one and CSK needs their most experienced batter to come up the order and deliver the goods under pressure.

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