CSK coach Stephen Fleming explains MS Dhoni’s batting role: 'He can't bat 10 overs running full stick'

MS Dhoni struck a six and a four before falling for 16 off 11 balls against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati (IPL Photo)

All Chennai Super Kings supporters were left stunned when Royal Challengers Bengaluru outclassed the five-time winners, securing their first win at Chepauk since 2008. It took RCB 17 years to breach CSK’s fortress. Fans in yellow jerseys were shocked, but what was even more surprising and has sparked debate was MS Dhoni coming in to bat at number nine. There was widespread criticism of Dhoni’s batting position.

In CSK’s next game against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni came out to bat at number seven. With 54 runs needed off 25 balls, the stage was set, but the veteran wicketkeeper-batter couldn't take his team over the line. He struck a six and a four before falling for 16 off 11 balls, as CSK fell short by six runs.

So far this season, Dhoni has batted in three innings, registering scores of 0* (2), 30* (16), and 16 (11). Interestingly, he has been shuffled across different positions — batting at number eight in the first game, number nine in the second, and number seven in the third.

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There is growing speculation over why Dhoni is not batting higher up the order. After the match against RR in Guwahati, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming addressed the question in the press conference: "Yeah, it's a time thing. MS (Dhoni) judges it. His body, his knees aren't what they used to be. And he's moving okay, but there's still an attrition aspect to it. He can't bat 10 overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game's in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he's balancing that. I said it last year [as well], he's too valuable to us — leadership and wicketkeeping — to throw him in for nine, ten overs. He has actually never done that. So, look, from around 13-14 overs, he's looking to go depending on who's in."

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Batting second in all three games this season, CSK’s middle order has failed to fire. Even the openers have not been able to provide solid starts, and on top of that, Dhoni coming in late with too much left to do is not helping the team. While he remains as quick as ever behind the stumps, his stocks as a batter have declined. In the upcoming matches, CSK’s top and middle-order batters will have to take more responsibility as the Yellow Brigade looks to get back to winning ways.