MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings’ wicketkeeper and batter, is 42 years old and still breaking Indian Premier League records. Though he is not at the pinnacle of his powers, the CSK talisman continues to amaze his fans by reinventing himself and adapting to the modern game.
With his blistering nine-ball 28 against Lucknow Super Giants on Friday, Dhoni became the tournament’s first wicket-keeper-batter to score 5000 runs.
Resurgence this season
The Chennai prodigal son has looked as good and lethal as ever in the final overs, despite doubts and issues with his knee fitness this season. The momentum his cameos have provided for CSK in the final overs is invaluable.
So far in the tournament, he has struck at 255.88, significantly higher than his overall IPL career strike rate of 137. His four-ball 20-run cameo was the difference in CSK’s IPL El-Classico victory over the Mumbai Indians.
Why can’t he bat higher?
After the game against LSG on Friday, Head Coach Stephen Fleming explained why they have not used Dhoni higher up the order despite him striking the ball as cleanly as anyone in the tournament.
“I believe everyone wants to see him for as long as we do, but that length of time is about right. We need him for the tournament, and that 2-3 over cameo, he owns that space,” Fleming explained after the game.
“Other years he has obviously had problems with his knee and he is sort of recovering from that which is why there is only a certain amount of balls he can function well.” Fleming would add.
He’d also say, “It’s inspiring, isn’t it?” His batting this year, even in practice, has been very crisp. The team is not surprised by his performance because his pre-season skill level was extremely high.”
