Former South Africa player has expressed disagreement with the idea of moving Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart MS Dhoni higher up the batting order in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, starting on March 28. Dhoni, who will be the oldest player in the tournament, is preparing diligently for the event. Despite a lackluster performance last year while batting at the 8th position, the player believes that Dhoni’s strength lies in excelling during the death overs.
According to the former player, there are few individuals globally who possess the clarity and ability to perform well in the 19th and 20th overs. He emphasized that Dhoni’s expertise shines in the final overs of a match, where he can focus on the task at hand effectively. The player cautioned against altering Dhoni’s position in the batting order, highlighting the presence of other strong middle-order players in CSK like Brevis and Dube, who excel in specific phases of the game.
The former CSK player also underlined the significance of Dhoni’s on-field presence for the team’s success, citing his tactical acumen and deep understanding of the game. He praised Dhoni as a top tactician and successful leader in cricket, emphasizing the importance of his strategic contributions to the team. The player acknowledged Ruturaj as a promising successor to Dhoni in terms of leadership but stressed the irreplaceable value of Dhoni’s cricketing intelligence on the field.
Du Plessis, the former player, commended Dhoni as the fastest wicketkeeper in the game and advocated for his continued role as the team’s wicketkeeper despite the emergence of new talent like Sanju. He highlighted Dhoni’s ability to create uncertainty in the minds of opposing batters through strategic field placements, leveraging his reputation as a quick and astute gloveman. Du Plessis concluded by affirming the importance of Dhoni’s presence behind the stumps in influencing the mental approach of incoming batters.
CSK is set to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
