Irfan Pathan Advocates for Dhoni to Bat Higher for CSK in Crucial IPL

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has advocated for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bat higher up the order for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their crucial final league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday. Pathan believes that Dhoni's current hitting form and the high-scoring nature of the Bengaluru ground make a compelling case for this change.

Pathan acknowledges that Dhoni's batting has evolved since his peak years, but he emphasizes that Dhoni's recent form has been impressive. "He is striking fast bowlers for sixes over the covers. He has excellent reach this time, and it comes with good fitness and when the knees are in good shape," Pathan said.

Pathan also highlights the fact that the Bengaluru ground is not conducive to spin bowling, which could further benefit Dhoni's batting. "There's no turn and the ground is not big. And the bowling of RCB is also not up to the mark," Pathan noted.

Despite Dhoni not being the official captain, Pathan emphasizes his leadership role within the team. "Even though he is not officially captain of the side, still he is one of the leaders of the team. So taking all the situations into account, he should take the responsibility and come to bat up the order," Pathan said.

Pathan also addresses Dhoni's running between the wickets, saying, "He is running and when two can be scored he runs with the same intensity and looks good. Then why not? You had said that you are playing for the fans, then fans want to see you spend more time on the pitch with the bat."

The upcoming clash between RCB and CSK is a high-stakes encounter that will determine the final team to qualify for the IPL playoffs. CSK, with 13 points and a superior net run-rate, are favorites due to their historical performance at the venue. RCB, with 12 points, face a tougher challenge and must win decisively to secure their playoff spot.

Adding to the drama is the forecast of rain, which could result in a washout favoring CSK's playoff chances. RCB will need to win by at least 18 runs or chase their target with about 11 balls to spare to advance, intensifying the pressure on the in-form team.

Tags: #IPL2023, #CSK, #RCB, #MahendraSinghDhoni, #IrfanPathan