Truth Behind MS Dhoni's No. 9 Decision Out, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan Made To Eat Words
MS Dhoni's decision to bat at No. 9 in IPL 2024 was due to a leg injury, limiting his running. Critics like Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan questioned his choice.
MS Dhoni's decision to bat at the No. 9 spot in the IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings has raised eyebrows, with many questioning his choice, including former cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan. However, recent revelations shed light on the reason behind this unconventional move. According to a report by the Times of India, Dhoni is currently dealing with a muscle tear in his leg, which hinders his ability to run comfortably on the field. As a result, the veteran cricketer is cautious about coming out to bat too early, as running between the wickets poses a challenge for him. This injury concern was evident in a recent game when Dhoni opted to send back non-striker Daryl Mitchell instead of attempting a clear double. Subsequently,
Dhoni himself was run-out in that game, a rare occurrence for the usually composed cricketer. Despite criticism from some quarters, including suggestions that he should not be part of the team if he chooses to bat so low in the order, Dhoni's decision seems to be motivated by his desire to manage his injury effectively. The report indicates that if the team had a suitable replacement, like the injured Devon Conway, Dhoni would have opted to rest for a few matches to recover. To cope with his injury, Dhoni is reportedly taking medication before matches and minimizing his running on the field. However, the lack of viable alternatives means that he must continue to play, despite doctors' recommendations for rest. This is not the first time Dhoni has battled through injury for his team. In IPL 2023, he played several matches for CSK despite a knee injury, which later required surgery. CSK has been grappling with multiple injury concerns this season, with players like Conway and Matheesha Pathirana ruled out, and Deepak Chahar unlikely to return due to a leg injury. Dhoni's decision to bat at No. 9, therefore, appears to be a strategic move to manage his injury and contribute to the team in the best way possible, given his physical limitations.