「ドーニはナンバー3でバットでなければならない」：とげをパフ

Former Chennai Super Kings star Robin Uthappa wants MS Dhoni to bat at number three, going forward in IPL 2025. The ex-CSK captain has been severely criticized for his slow-paced knocks and his batting position. In fact, the same loyal CSK fans have now chosen to blame their beloved Thala for their losses.

Uthappa wants Dhoni to bat in top-order for CSK

In a podcast with Jarrod Kinmber, Uthappa said that he doesn’t doubt Dhoni’s ability as a batter but pointed out that he did take some time to “get off the blocks.” He claimed that in an era where players were either imploding or exploding & nothing in between was acceptable, Dhoni was from the times when a batter would get his “eye in” and then go on the aggressive.

“That’s how he’s played cricket his entire life. Is he going to change it at the fag end of his career, is it worth it? No. But for it to be conducive for him and for CSK, the solution is to bat at number three,” Uthappa said.

Dhoni at no.3 will enrich youngsters?

Explaining his suggestion, Uthappa said Dhoni batting at number three was a plus on many fronts for CSK. He claimed that with Thala batting at number three and youngsters to follow, it could be lessons for the latter that they may never learn in IPL. Further, Uthappa opined that even if Dhoni plays 35-40 balls and is shook after the innings, Devon Conway could step in as the wicketkeeper for CSK.

“Irrespective of what situation he comes in, he takes time to get off the blocks. And that is so different from how cricket is played at the moment,” Uthappa noted.

MSD in IPL 2025 so far

In three matches this season, Dhoni has registered scores of 0*, 30 (16), 16(11) and 30 (26). The game against DC was probably the longest time for which MSD has played in this season. Earlier, CSK coach Stephen Fleming had defended Dhoni batting way down the order, noting that his knees were not as good as they were before and that it was really up to Thala as to where he wanted to bat.