Chennai Super Kings faced a big defeat in their clash against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday night, as MS Dhoni's side dropped to 3rd spot in the points table. The Super Kings failed to chased down a 203-run target at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, thanks to a disciplined bowling effort from the home side; Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers as he registered impressive figures of 3/22 in four overs.
Chasing the huge target, the Super Kings failed to forge strong partnerships and were left requiring 79 from 31 deliveries when Moeen Ali for CSK's fourth wicket of the innings. Many expected Ravindra Jadeja to join Shivam Dube to join in the middle and while he did, the left-handed batter failed to make a desirable effect; Jadeja remained unbeaten on 23 off 15 deliveries.
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Former Australian speedster Shaun Tait was left bemused with Dhoni not batting at all in the game, and stated that as the required run rate continued to tower for the Super Kings, he would've liked Dhoni to take the charge.
“Watching MS (Dhoni) sit on the boundaries when they need sixes... I was like, 'can someone get out?'” Tait said following the game on ESPNCricinfo.
{{/usCountry}}“Watching MS (Dhoni) sit on the boundaries when they need sixes... I was like, 'can someone get out?'” Tait said following the game on ESPNCricinfo.
{{/usCountry}}Fellow expert Deep Das Gupta also echoed Tait's sentiments, stating that Dhoni's presence commands fear among the bowlers.
“There's this fear factor when MS is batting. No matter whether he's (on) 40 or 50, no matter how good a bowler you are, you'd still be thinking, 'it's MS who's batting there',” the former Indian cricketer said.
Dhoni has batted in four innings in eight matches in the ongoing edition so far; all of his appearances have come at no.8. He has scored 61 runs and has been dismissed only once. Morever, Dhoni's strike rate has been an incredible 196.77, which left many wondering why the CSK captain chooses to bat in the lower middle-order.