MS Dhoni recently opened up about why he chose to bat lower in the order for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL 2024 season. This move puzzled many fans who expected him to promote himself higher up. The former CSK captain shared that his decision was because of a selfless reason: he wanted to give other CSK players, who were potential candidates for India’s T20 World Cup squad, a chance to prove themselves. Dhoni explained that he didn’t feel the need to take up valuable opportunities when he believed his teammates could benefit more.
“My thinking was simple, if others are doing their job well, why do I need to come up the order?” Dhoni explained during an event. He noted that since the T20 World Cup squad announcement was approaching, it was essential to give players fighting for a spot in the national team an opportunity to shine. “In our team, we had players like (Ravindra) Jadeja and Shivam Dube, who were in the running for the Indian team. So, giving them a chance to prove their abilities was the right thing to do,” Dhoni added.
“There was nothing in it for me, no selection or other things”: ‘Selfless’ MS Dhoni on IPL 2024 Batting Position
Emphasizing his selfless approach, Dhoni stated there was no personal gain in it for him since he wasn’t focused on selection or personal milestones. “There was nothing in it for me, no selection or other things. I was comfortable batting down the order, and my teammates were happy with what I was doing,” he shared. His decision reflects his commitment to supporting his teammates and helping them prepare for bigger opportunities, and it was appreciated by the entire team.
Despite batting lower, Dhoni managed to deliver thrilling cameos in high-pressure games. Across 14 matches, he scored 161 runs at an impressive average of 53.67 and a remarkable strike rate of 220.55, continuing to entertain fans with his finishing prowess.
Fans are now eagerly awaiting Dhoni’s decision on his future in the IPL. Although he hinted at possibly playing in IPL 2025, Dhoni said he wants to enjoy “whatever last few years of cricket” he has left, leaving fans hopeful about his continued presence in the CSK lineup.
Also read: MS Dhoni Appreciates Aggressive, Result-Oriented Approach Of Modern day Test Cricket
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