IPL 2020: MS Dhoni explains why he batted at No. 7 against RR in Sharjah

Sharjah: There have been numerous debates over MS Dhoni’s batting position. Many feel he should bat higher up the order for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2020. And, when an opportunity was there for him to promote himself against Rajasthan Royals (RR), he did not. In a big chase, Dhoni was needed for CSK but he arrived too late and the match was lost in Sharjah on Tuesday (September 22). After the defeat, Dhoni explained reasons for him batting at No. 7.

<p>CSK, chasing 217 to win against RR, were kept to 200/6 in 20 overs. Captain Dhoni was not out in the end but he could not take the team home.</p>

CSK, chasing 217 to win against RR, were kept to 200/6 in 20 overs. Captain Dhoni was not out in the end but he could not take the team home.

<p>Dhoni smashed three consecutive sixes in the final over bowled by Tom Curran but by then the contest was over.</p>

Dhoni smashed three consecutive sixes in the final over bowled by Tom Curran but by then the contest was over.

<p>The wicketkeeper-batsman was 29 not out off 17 balls. It was one of those very few matches when Dhoni was undefeated and his team lost.</p>

The wicketkeeper-batsman was 29 not out off 17 balls. It was one of those very few matches when Dhoni was undefeated and his team lost.

<p>Speaking after the match, Dhoni said he wanted to give opportunities to others to bat higher up the order. Also, he said he had not batted for a long time and the 14-day quarantine too did not help his cause.</p>

Speaking after the match, Dhoni said he wanted to give opportunities to others to bat higher up the order. Also, he said he had not batted for a long time and the 14-day quarantine too did not help his cause.

<p>“I haven’t batted for a long time. The 14-day quarantine doesn’t help (why he isn’t batting higher). Also wanted to try different things, give opportunities to Sam (Curran). I have the opportunity to try different things. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to your strengths. Faf (du Plessis) adapted very well,” Dhoni said in the post-match presentation ceremony.</p>

“I haven’t batted for a long time. The 14-day quarantine doesn’t help (why he isn’t batting higher). Also wanted to try different things, give opportunities to Sam (Curran). I have the opportunity to try different things. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to your strengths. Faf (du Plessis) adapted very well,” Dhoni said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

<p>This was CSK’s first loss in the tournament. They had opened the campaign with a victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in Abu Dhabi on September 19.</p>

This was CSK’s first loss in the tournament. They had opened the campaign with a victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in Abu Dhabi on September 19.