MS Dhoni was seen struggling at times while running between the wickets during his 9-ball cameo of 20 runs in Chennai Super Kings' win over Delhi Capitals in the IPL on Wednesday. And that's exactly what he has advised his players to not make him do.
"Don't make me run a lot," Dhoni has told his teammates.
After CSK's win, which helped the former champions hold onto their second spot in the points table, said that his job this IPL season is to come down the order and provide the final flourish with the bat.
The former India skipper, who is believed to be playing his last season of IPL, has been batting down the order at times as low as No. 8, facing a few balls with an aim to hit a few maximums like he did on Wednesday.
"This is what my job is, I have told them this is what I am supposed to do, don't make me run a lot and it has been working. This is what I need to do, happy to contribute," Dhoni said at the presentation ceremony after the 27-run win.
Despite an underwhelming performance with the bat, CSK managed a comfortable win against the Capitals.
The CSK top three have done the bulk of the scoring this season with Shivam Dube
"I felt 166-170 was a good score. But as a batting unit, we can do better. The good thing is Moeen (Ali) and Jaddu (Jadeja) got a chance to bat. As we get closer to the last phase of the tournament, it's important that everybody has a few deliveries under their belt," Dhoni said at the post match conference.
Talking about the match, Dhoni said "It turned a lot in the second half. We know that our spinners use a lot more seam than some of the other bowlers. We thought it'll slow down.
"We didn't know what's a good score. That's why I wanted the bowlers to bowl their best deliveries but not look for wickets every delivery. That's when you start not bowling well and bowl those loose deliveries."
1/10:IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings down Delhi Capitals by 27 runs
<p>Read more on TOI Sports<br /></p>IANS
2/10:CRUSHING WIN
<p>A late cameo by captain MS Dhoni and disciplined bowling helped Chennai Super Kings edge closer to an IPL play-off berth with a 27-run win over Delhi Capitals.<br /></p>TIMESOFINDIA.COM
3/10:THALA ARRIVES
<p>Dhoni, who hit a nine-ball 20, put on a key seventh-wicket stand of 38 with Ravindra Jadeja, who hit 21, to steer Chennai to 167-8.<br /></p>AFP
4/10:BABY MALINGA
<p>Sri Lankan quick Matheesha Pathirana took three wickets to help limit Delhi to 140-8.<br /></p>AP
5/10:BOTTOM OF THE TALLY
<p>The David Warner-led Delhi, who started the season with five losses, remain rooted to the bottom of the standings <br /></p>ANI
6/10:YELLOW BRIGADE
<p>With this win, Chennai consolidated their second spot in the 10-team table with seven wins in 12 matches.</p>TIMESOFINDIA.COM
7/10:POOR SHOW
<p>Delhi Capitals all but out of the play-off race.<br /></p>AP
8/10:CSK ARE READY
<p>The top four teams qualify for the play-offs.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:FLOP SHOW
<p>Delhi began the chase with left-handed Warner out for a duck on the second ball to Deepak Chahar, who also sent back previous-match winner Phil Salt, for 17.<br /></p>AP
10/10:REVIVING THE CHASE
<p>Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was run out for five but impact sub Manish Pandey and Rilee Rossouw attempted to revive the chase in their 59-run stand.<br /></p>AFPAfter an incredible batting performance in the win against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals batting crumbled once again.
They lost wickets in clumps, something that has plagued the Capitals all season.
"Back to losing three wickets. We lost a wicket in the first over. Our opening combination is crucial. We lost a wicket to a run-out. We threw wickets away. Put too much on pressure on ourselves. Was a gettable total.
(AI image)
Warner felt his side could have utilised their batting powerplay better.
"To sum it up, we needed a better first six. We couldn't rotate strike. We needed to try different things but we couldn't," Warner said.
The seventh defeat in 11 matches kept Delhi rock bottom at number 10.
(With agency inputs)
