The MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai witnessed an uncommon sight on Sunday as MS Dhoni, the legendary finisher, walked out to bat at quantity 9 for the primary time in his illustrious T20 profession. It was a transfer that left cricket pundits and followers scratching their heads, and former Indian spin wizard Harbhajan Singh was among the many most vocal critics. The conflict between the Chennai Super Kings and the Punjab Kings was a high-stakes affair, with each groups vying for essential factors to safe a coveted playoff spot. After successful the toss, Punjab invited Chennai to bat first, a call that appeared well-judged because the wickets tumbled at common intervals.
In a shocking transfer, Dhoni held himself again, permitting Mitchell Santner and Shardul Thakur to bat forward of him. When he lastly strode out to the crease within the nineteenth over, the stage was set for one in every of his trademark big-hitting finales. However, the fairy-tale ending by no means materialized as Dhoni was dismissed for a golden duck, caught plumb in entrance by a searing yorker from Harshal Patel.
Harbhajan’s Blistering CritiqueÂ
Harbhajan Singh, recognized for his outspoken views, did not mince phrases when he lambasted Dhoni’s resolution to bat at quantity 9. In a scathing comment, the previous off-spinner stated, “MS Dhoni shouldn’t play if he wants to bat at the number nine slot. It is better to include a fast bowler than him in the playing XI.”
Harbhajan’s criticism did not cease there. He questioned Dhoni’s decision-making course of, asserting, “He is the decision-maker and has let down his team by not coming out to bat.” The veteran cricketer was perplexed by Dhoni’s transfer, stating, “Shardul Thakur can never hit shots like Dhoni, and I don’t understand why Dhoni made this mistake.”
The Spin King’s Unwavering StanceÂ
Harbhajan’s remarks carried weight, stemming from his deep understanding of the sport and his respect for Dhoni’s skills. He vehemently refuted the notion that the choice to demote Dhoni was made by another person, asserting, “Nothing happens without his permission, and I am not ready to accept that this decision to demote him was taken by someone else.”
As the match progressed, Chennai managed to submit a modest whole of 167/9, due to Ravindra Jadeja’s quick-fire 43. However, Harbhajan remained steadfast in his criticism, stating, “Even if CSK win today, I will still call out Dhoni. Let people say anything. I will say what is right.”
The Jadeja MasterclassÂ
Amidst the controversy surrounding Dhoni’s batting place, Ravindra Jadeja emerged because the hero for Chennai. With the ball, he delivered a masterclass, claiming three essential wickets and conceding simply 20 runs in his 4 overs. His all-round brilliance earned him the well-deserved ‘Man of the Match’ award as Chennai efficiently defended their whole, proscribing Punjab to 139/9 and securing a 28-run victory.
