Dhoni Surpasses Raina as CSK's Top Scorer
With Dhoni's impressive record and the team's reliance on him, the question remains whether CSK can find a balance between utilizing his skills and prioritizing the team's success, or if the Dhoni fanaticism will continue to overshadow the game itself.
MS Dhoni has achieved a major milestone in the Indian Premier League, surpassing Suresh Raina to become the highest run-getter for Chennai Super Kings, with a total of 4699 runs in 204 innings, at an average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 139.43.
The 43-year-old achieved this feat during the ongoing 18th edition of the league, scoring an unbeaten 30 runs off 16 balls at a strike rate of 187.5 with 3 boundaries and 2 sixes. This impressive knock has cemented Dhoni's position as one of the greatest players in the history of the IPL. However, his recent batting position at number 9 in a lost cause has raised questions among experts and former teammates.
Former CSK players Irfan Pathan and Robin Uthappa have expressed their disapproval of Dhoni's batting position, stating that it didn't make sense and could have affected the team's net run-rate. Former India opener Aakash Chopra suggested that CSK should have sent Dhoni in earlier to give him enough time to win the match. This spectacle has become a norm at Chepauk in recent years, with fans prioritizing Dhoni's presence over the team's success.
The team needs to adapt to the situation and not rely solely on Dhoni's heroics in the final overs. The once-revered knowledgeable Chennai crowd now seems to be cheering for the vibes rather than the game itself, which could be detrimental to the team's performance. As the IPL continues, it will be interesting to see how CSK balances the need to utilize Dhoni's skills with the need to prioritize the team's success.