Chennai Super Kings are going through a tough time this season in the IPL. These guys have won the title five times, so it’s been a shock to see them start with a win against their biggest rivals, the Mumbai Indians, only to fall apart in the following three matches. Right now, they sit in ninth place on the points table, which isn’t where they usually are.
One of the players under fire is the veteran MS Dhoni. At 43, he’s had quite a career, but lately, he’s been getting a lot of heat for not performing well with the bat and for seeming like he’s lost some fire. People are questioning his ability to lead the team to success like he used to.
But, not everyone is writing him off just yet. Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricketer and coach of the Punjab Kings, came out and defended Dhoni. He pointed out that Dhoni’s wicketkeeping skills are still top-notch. In an interview with The Indian Express, Ponting mentioned that “his keeping is not getting any worse,” emphasizing that Dhoni is still doing a great job when standing close to the stumps against spinners.
Recently, Dhoni found himself batting at No. 9 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which didn’t end well for the team as they lost by 50 runs. In another game against Delhi Capitals, he batted a bit higher at No. 7 during a chase for 184 runs. Unfortunately, the outcome was similar, with him scoring 30 runs but not making a significant impact as CSK lost by 25 runs.
But Ponting still sees some potential in Dhoni’s approach. He believes that even if Dhoni is only facing 10 to 12 balls in a game, he can still be a threat. Ponting said that CSK has a solid strategy and that you can’t fault what they do since they’ve been so successful over the years. He highlighted that the coaching staff has been stable, which usually helps the team make the right choices.
Dhoni’s role has changed a bit in recent seasons. Instead of coming in to bat early, he’s mostly been coming in at the end, trying to make an impact in those crucial final overs. Ponting acknowledged this shift and said, “Dhoni is still dangerous in the IPL.”
When asked about Dhoni’s retirement, Ponting suggested it might come down to how this season plays out. If Dhoni can find his groove and make a meaningful contribution with the bat, he could stick around longer. But if he struggles to make runs, it might lead him to think about stepping away. Ponting recognized Dhoni’s amazing history in the game, saying he’s been an incredible player for such a long time.
Looking ahead, CSK’s next challenge is a match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday. It’s a chance for them to turn things around, and fans of the team will be hoping for a much-needed win.
