IPL 2020: Gautam Gambhir Criticises MS Dhoni For Batting at Number 7

The massive tournament in the world, Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) has been started and so did the debates involving MS Dhoni. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper has been at the centre of criticism because of his decision to bat at No. 7 spot in the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Tuesday.

Former Team India cricketer Gautam Gambhir was surprised to find Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at number seven in the batting order in the match against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. CSK was chasing a target of 217 runs, so Dhoni coming at number 7 wasn’t expected. For CSK, Sam Curran, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kedar Jadhav came up to bat at number 4, 5 and 6 in the order, before MS Dhoni.

While speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Gambhir addressed Faf du Plessis as the lone warrior in the chase.

“I was a bit surprised, to be honest. MS Dhoni batting at number seven? And sending Gaikwad before him, Sam Curran before him. (It) makes no sense to me. In fact, you should be leading from the front. And this is not what you call leading from the front. Batting at number seven when you’re chasing what 217? The game was over. Faf was probably the lone warrior,” Gambhir said.

Faf du Plessis hit 72 off just 37 balls and during this he hit a four and seven sixes. Dhoni scored 29 not out off 17 balls. In the last over of Tom Curran, Dhoni had hit three consecutive sixes, but by then the match had completely slipped from CSK’s hand.

“Yes, you can talk about MS Dhoni’s last over when he hit three sixes, but it was of no use, to be honest. It was just all personal runs. See, if someone else would have done this, some other captain had batted number seven, he would have got a lot of flak,” Gambhir said.

At the same time, Former KKR captain also feels that in the absence of Suresh Raina, Dhoni needs to take up the responsibility up top and not make people show that the other players like Curran, Gaikwad, Jadhav, etc. are better than him.

“It is MS Dhoni – probably (that’s) why people don’t talk about it. When you don’t have Suresh Raina, you’re making people believe that Sam Curran is better than you. You’re making people believe that Ruturaj Gaikwad, Curran, Kedar Jadhav, Faf du Plessis, M Vijay, all these guys are better than you,” he added.

After the match, Dhoni explained why he came at number 7. He wanted to give others the chance and understand who can bear the pressure.