Gautam Gambhir blasts MS Dhoni for not leading CSK from the front. Here's what he said

Gautam Gambhir blasts MS Dhoni: Since taking retirement from international cricket last year in August, former legendary captain MS Dhoni has faced huge criticism for his slow batting approach and inconsistent position in the batting order while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) witnessed a convincing 7-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals in their first match of IPL 2021. And once again former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has slammed the CSK captain for not leading his side from the front.

IPL 2021: Gautam Gambhir blasts MS Dhoni

In the first match against Punjab Kings while batting at No.7, MS Dhoni was dismissed for a 2-ball duck off a beautiful delivery from Avesh Khan. Ahead of CSK’s second game in IPL 2021 against Punjab Kings, Gambhir has stated that Dhoni cannot be leading the side while batting lower down the order at No.7. The former Indian opener also feels that the CSK skipper should bat higher in order to lead his side from the front in pressure situations.

“We keep mentioning this thing that a leader needs to lead from the front. You can’t be leading, when you’re batting at No.7,” Gautam Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports show Cricket Live.

“MS Dhoni should be batting higher, that’s what matters because ultimately people should start leading from the front. Yes, there are issues in their bowling lineup,” he added.

Related: Likely CSK Playing 11

Last year in IPL 2020 where CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the IPL history, Dhoni scored just 200 runs in 14 matches at a strike-rate of less than 120. Gambhir also mentioned that considering Dhoni’s current abilities and form he should be batting at four or five and nothing below that for CSK in IPL 2021.

“Plus, he is not the MS Dhoni, which he used to be probably four or five years back, where he could just come in and start taking on the bowlers from the word go. For me, I think he needs to bat at number four/ five. Nothing below that,” Gambhir concluded.

PBKS vs CSK IPL 2021 Live

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will host its second consecutive game in back-to-back days where the Punjab Kings will take on the Chennai Super Kings. Both the teams are not expected to tinker a lot with their combinations for this game.

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