IPL 2023: Rotating strike in middle overs is key, happy with bowlers show : MS Dhoni

Chennai: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has said that rotating the strike in the middle overs was very important and expressed happiness with the bowlers' performance.

Speaking at the post match presentation after CSK lost by three runs to Rajasthan Royals here last night in a grand stand finish, Dhoni, who led the side for 200th time, said he was happy with the bowlers and felt that strike rotation was important in the middle overs.

"I think in the middle (overs) we needed a bit more strike rotation. I don’t think there was a lot for spinners. Yes, you know they have experienced spinners. So, they bowled very well and they are bowling the right length", he said.

"I felt you know in that period you have too many dot balls. If the wicket is slow and its stopping and turning then I can understand but you know with the set batsman, even when the new batsman is going in, I don’t think it was that difficult", Dhoni said.

"So, I think the ownership needs to come from the batsman”, he added.

On the team's narrow loss, the iconic skipper said "“Yeah, slightly I would say that. Good that we could reach close to the striking distance. Also, you know we were the last batting pair and early in the tournament you can go hard."

"But if you lose a wicket at that point of time you have too many runs on the board that you need to chase. That really affects the Net run rate and it can really hamper the chances in the last game", he said.

"You know, when you get to the last leg of IPL. So, I feel we had to keep it slightly late, but as I said it was not that period it was the period before that where I felt that we could have taken more singles”, he added.

On his strategy with the bat during the chase, Dhoni said "Well, you see the field, you see the bowler and accordingly you plan as to what the bowler strength is, how the wicket is behaving so accordingly the bowler will also look to exploit it."

"So, after that just stand still and wait for them to commit mistake. So, I feel that really works for me. I don’t fancy too many things and I don’t do a lot of things. So, I just wait for them to commit an error. If they keep bowling in good areas, you know well done to them”, he said.

“I would wait for it. That’s what something that has worked for me. And, at the end of the day, the bowler is under slightly pressure. Even if he misses by a few inches, you can hit it for a six. So, you need to back your strength that you have and I feel my strength is to look to hit straight and after it react to everything else", Dhoni observed.

On the dew factor, he said "We saw the amount of dew, in the sense yesterday also there was quite a bit of dew and as I said after the first few new balls, once it goes to the outfield and after that it becomes relatively easy and we should have done better with the bat."

"I think the bowlers did their job. They had a very good first six overs and that actually affected the total score also but overall, of I see full 20 overs by the bowlers, quite happy with 170 on board”, he added.

“I was quite happy. As I said, the batsman will score runs if you don’t get too many wickets. So, what is important is you let them manufacture the big shots and not give them easy boundary option. So, as I said quite happy with the bowlers", he said.

On his 200th match as CSK skipper in the IPL, Dhoni did not attach too much significance to it, saying there is not much difference between 199 and 200, saying it was a compliment.

"Well, I didn’t really know that it was my 200th game (as CSK skipper). So, nothing really changes. I am not big for milestones. What’s the big difference between 199 and 200? So, it hardly matters (to me)", he said.

"What is important is how you turn up and how you are enjoying cricket. So, that’s what is something more important to me", Dhoni .

"Of course, it’s a compliment its’s a 200th game, you know to be able to play for so long. Thanks to almighty because he has definitely helped me finish 200 games, but as I said nothing really changes”, he said. (UNI)