MS Dhoni looked promising, should have batted in last 3-4 overs, says Eoin Morgan

Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned the clock and smashed a towering six, lighting up the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on March 31 (Friday).

The 41-year-old MS Dhoni faced only six balls in CSK’s five-run defeat against the defending champions Gujarat Titans in the opening match of the IPL 2023, but his striking of the ball was a clear message the man is not done yet.

Although 2023 is widely being reported as Dhoni’s final IPL season, former England captain Eoin Morgan believed that it was a “shame” that Dhoni did not come in to bat in the last three-four overs. Dhoni’s astonishing six was followed by a welcoming boundary as left-arm pacer Josh Little was at the receiving end.

Morgan further said that Dhoni could have easily faced more balls as he looked promising. Dhoni’s six off the bowling of Little took his tally of sixes to 200 for CSK. Overall, Dhoni has 230 sixes in IPL, having hit 30 for Rising Pune Supergiant.

“It’s actually a shame we didn’t see him (Dhoni) probably bat a little bit longer,” Morgan said on JioCinema.

“It was great to see him back and striking 200th six. He is the guy you want in the last 3-4 overs. It was a shame there were only 6 balls that he could face but it looked very promising.”

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 92 off 50 balls helped CSK post 178/7 after being put into bat. In reply, Shubman Gill (63 off 36) anchored Gujarat Titans’ innings before Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan’s late hitting helped the defending champions to secure a five-wicket win in the final over. With the victory, GT extended their unbeaten run against CSK to 3-0.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 3, while Gujarat Titans will meet Delhi Capitals on April 4.