Legendary Sunil Gavaskar is expecting Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni to hit a six in every game of the upcoming season. IPL 2024 could be Dhoni’s swansong season in the tournament and he will once again look to lead from the front.
The veteran led the franchise to glory in the previous season as CSK defeated Gujarat Titans in the all-important final, with Ravindra Jadeja smashing 10 runs on the last two balls against Mohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, Dhoni was able to add the finishing touches in IPL 2023 for CSK. The talisman scored 104 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 182.45. The CSK captain smashed a total of 10 sixes in the previous season.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Gavaskar was asked about his expectations from Dhoni in IPL 2024. He said: “A six in every game. A six, not six runs, that is what I am expecting. Every time he comes into bat, 14 innings, 14 sixes, it will be money’s worth for me. It’s naturally better if it’s more than that.”
On the other hand, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants Dhoni to bat up the order for CSK.
“I met MS Dhoni for two hours. We spoke and he was mostly standing for those two hours. So the pain that is generally there after surgery was not evident. He is looking slim. It’s going to be an extremely special season. My heartfelt hope would be that he bats slightly up the order,” the former India all-rounder elaborated.
CSK have a plethora of all-rounders in their squad and Pathan reckons this is the way Dhoni likes it.
“That’s the way MS Dhoni likes it. MS Dhoni loves the guys who can do both the jobs, batting and bowling, you know those all-rounders. Always, even with the Indian team, he liked the batters who could bowl and so is the case with CSK as well.”
“So in terms of combination, they are pretty much sorted. The only thing they will have a little worry is in terms of fielding. They need to be wary of it because sometimes they go for experience and that’s why the fresh legs aren’t there. Fielding actually lets them down sometimes,” Pathan said.”
IPL 2024 will begin on March 22.
