M.S. Dhoni the talismanic former Indian captain who is playing his last IPL wanted to leave the cricket field on a high but things do not seem to be going his way.
Defending champion Chennai Super Kings is currently ranked 3rd on the points table and it is almost certain that Chennai would not finish in top two. But it is not Chennai’s performance that is drawing cricket lover’s attention. It is Dhoni’s on filed antics that has become a matter of great discussion amongst the fans as to why Dhoni is behaving the way he is. Recently in a match against Punjab Kings played on 5th May 2024 he came out to bat at 9th position whereas he usually bats at number 6 or 7. Later it was revealed that because Dhoni was suffering from leg muscle tear, he came down the order because it will be difficult for him to run for too long. Also, since the team’s other wicket-keeper Devon Conway was out of the tournament because of injury Dhoni had no option but to play.
This begs the question as to why Devon Conway was replaced by English cricketer Richard Gleeson who is a bowler. Dhoni is a part of selection committee of Chennai Super Kings and it is obvious that Richard’s selection had Dhoni’s approval. Devon should have been replaced by a wicket-keeper but that was not done.
Also in another match against Punjab Kings that was played on 1st May he denied strike to Daryl Mitchell as he wanted to finish off with a six. Dhoni was facing Arshdeep Singh in the final over when he surprisingly denied his partner Daryl Mitchell, a single with four balls to go. Dhoni drilled the second ball of the over from Arshdeep to sweeper cover in the deep but refused to run. Meanwhile Mitchell sensing run dashed to the batting end taped the crease and safely returned to the non-striker’s end. Technically, if Dhoni had run, he and Mitchell could have added two more runs to the CSK total. Dhoni knew the hitting abilities of Mitchell but still denied him the strike only to invite the charges of being selfish and playing only for personal glory.
After Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni has been the biggest cricket icon of the country but unlike Tendulkar Dhoni has a chequered legacy. While Sachin has been careful not to associate his name with any tobacco or liquor brands Dhoni has endorsed liquor brands in the past. Also Dhoni promotes gaming apps which in fact are nothing but gambling apps in disguise.
“This IPL 2024 should have been Dhoni’s swansong, as he has rendered yeoman service to Indian cricket. However, it is safe to say that MSD will not have the send-off he deserves, which is sad not only for Dhoni, but also for his millions of fans and for Indian cricket.”
