Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth reckons MS Dhoni should call it a day from his IPL career. Dhoni has been playing in the IPL since the inception of the tournament and Srikkanth said the veteran’s reflexes have come down drastically.
Dhoni meandered to 16 runs off 17 balls while playing against Rajasthan Royals as CSK could only post a slightly sub-par score of 187 runs on the board in Delhi on Tuesday. Furthermore, Dhoni surprisingly had a off-day with the gloves behind the stumps.
In the ongoing season, Dhoni has scored 196 runs in 13 matches at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. Many experts have also questioned Dhoni’s batting position as the veteran is coming out to bat in the lower order due to knee issues.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Dhoni is also ageing, you can’t expect too much from him. But at the same time, you can’t keep coming and messing it up, if you are not able to do it, say you’re not able to do it and walk away. That’s a call Dhoni can only take. Whether he will continue, if he continues, then in what role: captain, wicket keeper or finisher?”
“In all fairness, his reflexes has gone down. His knees might have given up, his fitness, reflex level everything will obviously come down. And moreover, the top order is flopping.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player recalled that Dhoni used to hit long sixes against the off-spinners, but he is currently struggling.
“The problem with CSK today is that Dhoni is not able to replicate his own game. Spinners are tying him down. Once, he used to hit off spinners 10 rows into the stands. In all fairness, he is struggling,” said Srikkanth.
CSK will play their last game of the season against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.