Punjab Newsline,Sports:
“Sending him up the order would be a mistake, he is most dangerous as a finisher”
Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Faf du Plessis has shared a strong opinion on MS Dhoni’s batting role. He clearly stated that Chennai Super Kings should not rush into changing Dhoni’s batting position, as his true strength lies in the final overs of the match.
According to Du Plessis, Dhoni is among the rare players who can turn pressure into control in the 19th and 20th overs. He believes that Dhoni’s clarity, experience, and calm mindset in the last 12 balls make him stand out from the rest. Sending him earlier in the batting order could backfire—if he gets out quickly, the team would lose its most reliable finisher.
Although Dhoni didn’t have a very impactful season last year, Du Plessis does not see that as a reason to alter his role. He pointed out that the team already has strong middle-order players like Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube, who can dominate spin and accelerate the scoring in the middle overs.
Beyond batting, Du Plessis emphasized Dhoni’s unmatched value on the field. He described him as a master tactician whose field placements and game awareness often create doubt in the minds of opposition batters. His presence behind the stumps continues to be a major psychological advantage for the team.
Chennai Super Kings will kick off their campaign on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Stadium, where all eyes will once again be on the legendary ‘Captain Cool’.