Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh is critical of MS Dhoni coming out to bat late in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He said that this is a major issue that Chennai Super Kings need to fix, and team management needs to look at this differently.
MS Dhoni has come under massive scanner since the last few days, especially with Chennai Super Kings losing games against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Rajasthan Royals. The keeper-batter has been criticized a lot for his batting position in the league.
MS Dhoni batted at number nine in the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He came at a time when the game already was far from reach. And even after that, he didn't look in good shape as he didn't look hit, and as a result, Chennai Super Kings went on to lose the game by 50 runs.
In the game against Rajasthan Royals, MS Dhoni walked out to bat two spots up, but he couldn't make the kind of impact that he would've wanted. He managed just 16 runs off 11 balls and perished in the last over when Chennai Super Kings needed 20 runs to win.
Harbhajan Singh hailed MS Dhoni as a big match player but mentioned that when he walked out to bat, the game was already over. He pointed out the poor stats of keeper-batter, saying that he has scored 3 runs in 9 balls in winning causes. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said:
"I would like to present some stats. Dhoni sahab bahut bade khiladi hain, par jab who aaye hain, match khatam ho chuka tha (Dhoni has been a great player, but by the time he came out to bat, the match was all but over). Whenever Dhoni has chased since IPL 2023 in winning causes, he has scored just 3 runs in 9 balls, without a single boundary or six.
"But in losing causes, Dhoni has scored 166 runs in 84 balls with 13 fours and 13 sixes. This means that Dhoni averages just 8 in matches CSK have won while in the games lost, his average is 49. Who wants to watch matches lost? And this, I think, is a major issue CSK needs to fix."
Send Dhoni up and leave him alone - Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh added that MS Dhoni needs to bat higher and should be left alone. He added that although the keeper-batter is still hitting sixes they are of no use. He added:
"The team management needs to look at this differently. Send Dhoni up and leave him alone. Tell him to smash, because if he scores runs, then that would matter. Otherwise, there isn't much to nitpick. He still smashes them but these stats aren't materialising."
I can't figure out how they're making this team - Harbhajan Singh on Chennai Super Kings
Harbhajan Singh also expressed his disappointment over Ruturaj Gaikwad not coming to open innings for Chennai Super Kings. He mentioned that it's hard for him to understand how they making the team. While elaborating on the same, he said:
"Gaikwad has pushed himself down. He is such a good opener, a successful opener. CSK have always had very good openers – be it Matthew Hayden or Brendon McCullum, or Devon Conway. Which reminds me he is in the squad too but he's not playing. I can't figure out how they're making this team. They have preferred Craig Overton over Conway when they have such a good stock of Indian bowlers,"
"Make these guys play higher, and keep Rachin Ravindra Jadeja. Then at least, their batting would look strong. Right now, it's like when Shivam Dube gets out, it feels as if it's all over. They have no batter who at will can hit fours and sixes. Ruturaj played well but he lacked intent. Even Jadeja's innings was slow. He, too, couldn't strike those big shots."
Also read: MS Dhoni mentioned as ex-India star claims Ruturaj Gaikwad is "under too much pressure"
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Harbhajan Singh digs up 'dirty' stats to shame MS Dhoni )
Also on site :
- Macy’s is starting to close 66 stores across the country. See the full closure list
- Robert Irwin Has 'Couple Near Misses' in Tense Wildlife Rescue Video
- Europe to Trump: Prepare for retaliation against your tariffs