Irfan Pathan Criticizes MS Dhoni's Decision to Bat at No. 9 for CSK!!

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan voiced his disappointment with MS Dhoni, the iconic player for Chennai Super Kings, for his decision to bat at the uncharacteristic position of number 9 during their recent IPL 2024 clash against Punjab Kings. Pathan's critique stemmed from Dhoni's unconventional batting position, marking the first time in his T20 career that he found himself so low in the order. Despite Dhoni's seasoned age of 42, Pathan emphasized that the former Indian captain remains in formidable form and should, therefore, shoulder the responsibility of batting higher up the lineup, ideally for a substantial duration, around 4 to 5 overs. While acknowledging Dhoni's stellar season with the bat, where he amassed 110 runs across 7 innings at a remarkable average of 55 and an impressive strike rate of 224.49, Pathan underscored the strategic importance of Dhoni occupying a more prominent batting role, particularly with the playoffs looming on the horizon. Pathan's concern extended beyond Dhoni's individual performance to encompass the overall team dynamics, as he believed that Dhoni's late arrival at the crease doesn't necessarily serve CSK's long-term interests. Pathan urged Dhoni to adapt his approach and take on a more proactive stance in the batting order to ensure CSK's sustained success, especially in crucial matches where his leadership and experience are paramount. Expressing dismay at instances where lower-order batsmen were sent in ahead of Dhoni, Pathan stressed the urgency for someone within the team to counsel Dhoni towards embracing a more influential batting position for the collective benefit of Chennai Super Kings.