In a crucial do-or-die clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to rise up the batting order. With a playoff spot on the line, CSK will once again rely on Dhoni to produce his magic in the mega clash to take his team to the next round, which he has done on several occasions in the past.
Despite playing with knee pain and being seen limping on numerous occasions this season, Dhoni has remained a vital cog in the CSK batting lineup, scoring 136 runs in 60 balls. However, Pathan feels that at this stage of the tournament, Dhoni has to bear some pain and take responsibility for taking his team over the line.
“You might see MS Dhoni bat up the order against RCB, maybe 1 or 2 overs up the order, or even 3 overs up the order, because this is a crucial time. It’s not the time where you say, ‘I have to take care of my knee’, not the time where you take things a bit lightly. This is the business end now, and if you lose here and in case with a big margin, then you are out of the tournament. MS Dhoni has to bear some pain and needs to take solid responsibility for his team, which he has taken for the last decade or so. This season, he came a bit late to bat, and if he comes at the right time, then he will bat for at least 3 overs,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, Pathan also highlighted the momentum that RCB has gained, making them a formidable opponent, and suggested that other teams will play against them on the back foot if they make it into the playoffs.
“The most dangerous thing in the IPL is momentum. If any team has momentum, we have seen KKR and MI do it in the past – winning back-to-back matches after a slow start and then going on to become champions. These things happen, and if you have the momentum, then every team is scared of you. If RCB reaches the playoffs, then the other three teams in the playoffs – KKR, RR, and SRH will play on the back foot against RCB. Because they didn’t see loss and found the right formula, which they had missed at the start of the season,” he added.
As the tournament reaches its business end, CSK and RCB will lock horns in a high-stakes encounter, with Dhoni’s performance likely to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. Dhoni’s experience and leadership will be crucial for CSK, and if he can overcome his physical discomfort and deliver a match-winning performance, it could propel his team into the next round.
