Chennai Super Kings veteran skipper MS Dhoni has issued a stern warning to the franchise’s bowlers to stop bowling no-balls and wides, otherwise, he will relinquish his captaincy duties. Dhoni is regarded as one of the best leaders to have embraced the game and CSK could find themselves in a soup if he quits as a captain.
In fact, MS Dhoni had left CSK’s captaincy in the previous season and Ravindra Jadeja had led in his place. However, the all-rounder could not lead from the front and Dhoni once again had to take charge of the sinking ship.
Dhoni’s warning came after CSK’s home win of 12 runs against Lucknow Super Giants at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai on Monday. CSK bowlers bowled a total of 13 wides and three no-balls while defending the score of 218 runs.
MS Dhoni said in the post-match presentation, “Terrific high-scoring game. All of us were thinking how the wicket would be. It was the perfect first game that could happen. I thought it would be much slower. But it was a wicket where you could score runs. I was quite surprised with the wicket. But we’ll have to see if we can produce a wicket like this game after game. Fast bowling we need to slightly improve. Need to bowl according to the conditions. WHat is important is to keep an eye as to what the opposition bowlers are doing. One more thing is they’ll have to bowl no no-balls or extra wides. Or they’ll have to play under a new captain. It will be my second warning and then I’ll be off. Only reason we’ve scored those runs is if the surface is nice.”
In fact, Dhoni was not happy after their first match against Gujarat Titans in which they bowled four wides and overstepped on two occasions
There is no doubt that conceding extras could be the difference between win and loss, especially in a format like T20, where the error of margin is minuscule. Furthermore, the batters can punish the opposition on free hits, which is awarded for every no-ball.
Chennai Super Kings bowlers will want to pull up their socks and their bowling coach Dwayne Bravo will have his work cut out in order to guide this inexperienced bowling line-up on the right track.
CSK will next face arch-rivals Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.
