Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has said that MS Dhoni’s batting position in the lineup is all about time as the legendary wicketkeeper’s fitness isn’t what it used to be in the past. Dhoni has taken a slightly deeper role in the batting order. During the loss to RCB at home, Dhoni came in at No.9, which received a lot of criticism from fans and critics.
Against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni came in at No.7 and scored 16 off 11 balls before being dismissed in the final over as CSK lost the match by 6 runs. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Fleming said that Dhoni’s knees aren’t what they used to be. The CSK coach said that the wicketkeeper-batter cannot bat for a long period of time and the 43-year-old gauges at the end what he can give for the team.
Fleming said that Dhoni backs others to take up opportunities when they are available for them, and he is balancing that job.
“Yeah, it’s a time thing,” Fleming said. “MS judges it. His body is, his knees aren’t what they used to be. And he’s moving okay, but there’s still an attrition aspect to it. He can’t bat 10 overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game’s in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he’s balancing that.”
While Dhoni’s role with the bat may be limited, Fleming said that the 43-year-old is still too valuable for CSK in terms of his leadership and wicket-keeping.
“I said it last year [as well], he’s too valuable to us – leadership and wicket-keeping – to throw him in nine, ten overs. He has actually never done that. So, look, from around 13-14 overs, he’s looking to go depending on who’s in,” said Fleming.
Dhoni will next be in action for CSK during their home against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, April 5.
