Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter AB de Villiers urged Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to promote Mahendra Singh Dhoni in batting order as the 42-year-old’s playing time has reduced massively in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Dhoni, 42, is one of the most loved and popular cricketers in India and that is due to the fact that he led India to all three ICC trophies — T20, 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy — and he guided CSK to record five IPL triumphs.
Dhoni has scored 91 runs in six innings in IPL 2024 so far at an impressive strike rate of 260, his prowess down the order has made his fans wish to see him bat for more and similarly, De Villiers is one of them.
Talking on his YouTube channel, the former Proteas batter stated that Dhoni should be facing more deliveries as he is still a destructive batter.
“At what point do we think that maybe he is good enough to go out at No. 5 or No. 6. I am not saying go and bat at No. 3. But just give yourself a few more deliveries. You are so destructive as a batter. You can win games for CSK,” De Villiers said.
“He is the most destructive batter still for CSK after all these years. The best finisher by a country mile, at the moment, I think in the entire IPL.”
The former RCB star then appreciated the way Dhoni is managing his workload as he is still in top physical shape despite being 42 years old.
“Yeah, I understand he is a guy who is not playing a lot of cricket these days. He comes in, prepares for the IPL and that’s all he plays. So, maybe him batting down the order has come from himself thinking that he is not in such great form. Maybe the younger guys, who play 12 months of the year, deserve a chance to bat up the order.”
