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The crunch IPL 2024 clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is a do-or-die game which will decide their playoff fate. Meanwhile, right ahead of the high-voltage drama former India's star all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes MS Dhoni's batting position might be crucial.
Pathan feels Dhoni, known for his late-innings heroics, should be promoted slightly in the batting order for this critical match. This strategy would allow Dhoni to have a greater impact on the game's outcome, potentially replicating his past magic moments that have secured victories for CSK on numerous occasions. Dhoni boasts an impressive record at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore specifically against RCB. He has amassed a total of 413 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 174.3 across 10 innings, including four well-composed fifties.
However, a concern surrounds Dhoni's current physical condition. He has been battling knee pain throughout the season, and sightings of him limping have raised questions about his mobility. Despite this, Dhoni has managed to score 136 runs in just 60 balls faced so far in IPL 2024.
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You might see Dhoni bat up the order: Pathan
Nevertheless, Pathan believes that at this point in the tournament, Dhoni must endure some discomfort and assume the responsibility to lead his team to victory.
"You might see MS Dhoni bat up the order against RCB, 1 or 2 over or maybe 3 over up in the order because this is a crucial time. It's not the time where you say, 'I have to take care of my knee', not the time where you take things a bit lightly. This is the business end now, and if you lose here and in case with a big margin, then you are out of the tournament. MS Dhoni has to bear some pain and needs to take solid responsibility for his team which he has taken for the last decade or so. This season, he came a bit late to bat, and if he comes at the right time, then he will bat for at least 3 overs," Pathan said on Star Sports.
Royal Challengers Bangalore are a force to be reckoned with in IPL 2024. Pathan said that RCB's recent winning streak has given them momentum, making them a dangerous opponent in the playoffs, forcing other teams to play cautiously against them.
"The most dangerous thing is momentum in IPL. If any team has momentum, we have seen KKR and MI do it in the past - winning back-to-back matches after a slow start and then went onto become champions. These things happen, and if you have the momentum, then every team is scared of you. If RCB reach the playoffs, then the other three teams in playoffs - KKR, RR and SRH will play on the backfoot against RCB. Because they didn't see loss and found the right formula, which they had missed at the start of the season," Pathan concluded.
Speculations are rife that the clash against RCB could be Dhoni's last dance in IPL if CSK lose the match.
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