Calls for Mahendra Singh Dhoni batting higher up the order have grown after his whirlwind effort against Delhi Capitals but Michael Clarke feels the former Chennai Super Kings captain will continue to bat at no.8 and will only promote himself if the game "is on the line". (More Cricket News)
Dhoni's unbeaten 37 off 16 balls at number eight did not prove to be enough but his loyal fans believe the outcome would have been different had he batted higher up the order.
Clarke, who like Dhoni is a World Cup-winning captain, said the Indian legend will continue to perform the finisher's role.
"I don't think he will. I think he'll stay where he is. I think every MS Dhoni fan wants to see him as high up the order as possible. We've all said throughout his career, he should open the batting," Clarke told Star Sports.
"But look, he바카라s at a stage of his career where he바카라s down from the captaincy. I don바카라t think he바카라ll come up the order. I think if there바카라s a game on the line and he needs to go up the order because it바카라s what바카라s best for the team, I바카라m sure he will."
Dhoni's cameo against the Delhi Capitals included a thundering six over extra-cover before he unleashed a one handed maximum over mid-wicket in the 20th over.
The 42-year-old, who last played for India in 2019, had undergone a knee surgery last year.
"...just because he바카라s hitting the ball so well, I don바카라t think you바카라ll see him batting in the top five or top six. I think he바카라s a genius at the dance. He바카라s probably the best finisher I바카라ve ever seen. So, I think they바카라ll continue to utilize him in that role," said Clarke.
Steve Smith, who has also captained Australia, said Dhoni at higher than number eight could benefit CSK.
"Let바카라s get him up the order. I think he did not miss the middle of the bat tonight. That was just incredible to witness. I think Jadeja, throughout the other end, was actually struggling to find the middle.
"They bowled really well to him but MS got there on strike. Obviously, in his first ball to the boundary and then from there, he just barely missed the middle of the bat. It was great to watch and I think the fans want to see him getting up the order and keep doing it more often,바카라 said Smith.
