'Take Responsibility': Irfan Pathan 'Bashes' MS Dhoni For Batting At No.9 Vs PBKS
MS Dhoni dismissed for golden duck by Harshal Patel in PBKS-CSK IPL 2024 clash (X.com)
MS Dhoni demoted himself down the order as he came out to bat at no.9 for CSK against PBKS, and former cricketer Irfan Pathan disapproved of the move as it worked against CSK, who were in a lurch to put up a competitive total.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were fighting for their playoff spot when they locked horns with Punjab Kings (PBKS) yesterday in Dharamsala.
CSK batted first but were put under the pump by PBKS bowlers. Rahul Chahar shattered the middle order with an impressive spell and suddenly CSK were struggling to put up a respectable total.
Pathan criticises MSD
However, amid this, CSK ex-captain and finisher, MS Dhoni surprisingly came out at no.9 with just 8 deliveries left in the first innings. And to further add to the misery, Dhoni was sent packing on a golden duck by Harshal Patel.
While MS Dhoni couldn’t add to CSK’s run tally, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan was disappointed with Dhoni’s mindset in the first place.
"I know that he is 42, but he is in solid form. He should be taking the responsibility of batting up the order. He should bat for at least four to five overs. He is batting for the last over or last 2 overs and that doesn’t serve the purpose for CSK for a long term," Pathan said on Star Sports.
Pathan said that despite being 42 years old, Dhoni’s ability to finish has not lost. Hence, as a finisher, he should have taken some responsibility and promoted himself up the order over the likes of Santner and Shardul Thakur.
The former all-rounder further claimed that MS Dhoni walking out to bat at no.9 serves no purpose for CSK.
That being said, despite an abysmal show with the bat, CSK managed to win the contest by 28 runs courtesy to brave performance from the bowling unit who were in fact lacking a couple of regular faces due to injuries and bad health.