Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) domination in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 has remained the talk of the town. After failing to qualify for the 2nd round last year, the MS Dhoni-led side made a heroic comeback this season and became the first team to make it to the playoffs.
CSK also acquired the top spot for long and will get two chances to qualify for the final as they finished the league stage at 2nd spot. From selecting the best playing XIs to changing the batting order, the team management’s decisions have gone their way so far.
But one decision that hasn’t worked quite well is promoting Dhoni ahead of Ravindra Jadeja in the batting order. The CSK skipper has batted ahead of the all-rounder on few occasions in the UAE leg. In the previous 2 matches as well, Dhoni batted before him.
The decision is being highlighted more as CSK lost both fixtures. Sharing his take on Dhoni’s promotion, former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt slammed him and said that he isn’t going to play in the T20 World Cup. Dhoni scored 18 off 27 against Delhi Capitals while he managed 12 off 15 against Punjab Kings.
“Why is MS Dhoni coming before Ravindra Jadeja, who is batting so well? Bravo, Jadeja both are hitting so well. Dhoni will be [a] mentor, will not play for India, so it doesn’t make any sense of him coming before Jadeja. You are now into the playoffs, why don’t you give him more practice. It’s beyond comprehension, I don’t know what he is thinking and why he is doing this,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.
It remains to be seen if Dhoni continues to bat ahead of Jadeja in the playoffs or not. The CSK skipper has 94 runs in the season while Jadeja has hit 227 runs. He has also dismissed 10 batsmen.
CSK next face Delhi Capitals in the first Qualifier in Dubai on Sunday (October 10). A win there will earn them a place in the final whereas a defeat will mean that they will face the winner of the Eliminator in the 2nd Qualifier on Wednesday (October 13).
