MS Dhoni’s prowess as a finisher has been a hot topic of discussion, especially in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where the veteran cricketer has continued to make a significant impact despite limited time at the crease. Gautam Gambhir, former India teammate of Dhoni and current mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, recently shared his insights on Dhoni’s role as the designated finisher for the defending champions.
In a video uploaded by Sportskeeda Cricket, Gautam Gambhir emphasized the advantage of MS Dhoni facing fewer deliveries, allowing him to play with absolute freedom.
“Having such a short period to bat allows MS Dhoni to play with absolute freedom. It tends to work in your favor, as opposed to playing 25-30 balls where you will be expected to build your innings,” remarked Gautam Gambhir, highlighting the strategic advantage of Dhoni’s brief but impactful appearances.
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Gautam Gambhir also underscored that Dhoni’s reduced time at the crease has been a deliberate strategy for the Chennai-based franchise over the past few years.
“If you can create that impact in such a short period, that is good for the team. Other teams will have a different strategy, but for CSK, this has been the plan for the last 3-4 years,” he added.
In IPL 2024, MS Dhoni has amassed 110 runs in just 48 balls, boasting an impressive average of 110 and a striking strike rate of 229.16. However, in Chennai’s recent clash against the Punjab Kings, Dhoni faced a challenge as he came out to bat at number 7 and encountered spin bowling in the penultimate over by Rahul Chahar.
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Despite scoring 14 runs off 11 balls, Dhoni’s innings was cut short due to a run-out in the final over. As the IPL season progresses, Dhoni’s role as the finisher for Chennai Super Kings continues to be a focal point, with fans eagerly anticipating his impact in the remaining matches.