2 weeks Ago
Sanjay Manjrekar believes CSK is under-utilizing MS Dhoni by not making him captain, suggesting he plays more as a brand than a player. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are ‘under-utilizing’ MS Dhoni by not picking him as the team captain. He added that Dhoni was playing more as a ‘brand’ than a player in his current role, where he blocks CSK from picking an extra batter in the 11 and himself bats so late.
Dhoni courted criticism from a big chunk of the cricketing community by coming to bat at number nine, after bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, in the big chase of 197 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Chepauk. He scored 30 (16) with three fours and two sixes but CSK lost by 50 runs. “I will look at the larger picture," Manjrekar said ahead of CSK’s match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Sunday, as quoted by the Hindustan Times .
“If you look at this year and even last year, Dhoni is playing more as a brand than as a player. When they select the playing XI, they don’t pick an extra batter because MS is there. MS Dhoni is a bonus for them.
He has a different role," he said. “That’s why I think if MS Dhoni is playing and batting so late, he should be the captain. He is doing great as a wicketkeeper, but he would contribute more as captain.
Right now, he is being under-utilized," he added. Dhoni gave up CSK’s captaincy ahead of IPL 2024, allowing Ruturaj Gaikwad to take over. He was criticised for his on-field decisions against RCB, too, especially his usage of bowlers in crunch situations.
Recently, Dhoni spoke about his relationship with Gaikwad. He confirmed that unlike the public opinion, Gaikwad has been making most of the on-field calls for CSK. “Before the start of the tournament (IPL 2024), I told him, ‘If I am giving you advice, it doesn’t mean you have to follow it.
First and foremost, I will try to stay away," Dhoni said in an interview with JioHotstar . “During the (IPL 2024) season, a lot of people said maybe I am doing all the background (decisions), but all the decisions were his. Only thing I said was ‘have a very good idea about angles when it comes to the field’.
You tell me you want a deep point and according to the batsman, wicket and the bowler, I will set where it needs to be. So that’s why you see a lot of hand gestures and all," he added. CSK won the first match against Mumbai Indians in Chepauk and lost the second against RCB.
They are traveling to Guwahati to play RR with the aim to rise above the eighth spot in the points table..
