PBKS vs CSK: MS Dhoni memes go viral after CSK star Shardul Thakur ranks No. 9.

IPL 2024, PBKS vs. CSK: On Sunday, May 5, at Dharamsala, MS Dhoni's choice to bat as low as No. 9 came under scrutiny because the former captain of CSK failed to apply his experience when the Super Kings were having problems at the bat.

Ankush Pandey Ankush Pandey
May 5, 2024 - 13:57 Updated: May 5, 2024 - 14:16
0 422
PBKS vs CSK: MS Dhoni memes go viral after CSK star Shardul Thakur ranks No. 9.
In Dharamsala, MS Dhoni was out for a golden duck against PBKS. (PTI Photo)

INTRO

  • In Dharamsala, MS Dhoni got out for a first-ball duck against PBKS.
  • Dhoni was questioned about why he didn't bat before the 19th over.
  • It was his first time batting at No. 9 in a T20 match.

On Sunday, May 5, MS Dhoni came under fire for not batting first when the Super Kings wanted him to be in the centre of the pitch during their IPL 2024 match against Punjab in Dharamsala. For the first time in his T20 career, Dhoni batted at No. 9, facing just nine deliveries. After dismissing all-rounder Shardul Thakur, he went out to bat since some supporters were not impressed by his decision to postpone his arrival.

Harshal Patel had MS Dhoni out for a first-ball duck, compounding the misery. The bowler from Punjab tricked the former skipper of CSK by producing a yorker that dipped and struck the off stump. After Shardul Thakur, who excelled with an 11-ball 17, Dhoni appeared distressed as CSK lost two wickets in as many balls. The wicketkeeper-batter then followed Thakur.

Why MS Dhoni chose to bat as low as No. 9 in a game that needed to be won was questioned. Irfan Pathan, a former cricket player for India, questioned Dhoni's unwillingness to bat higher up the order, particularly when the team required his assistance in the middle of the order. Mitchell Santner was out of the game in the 16th over, and CSK was reeling at 122 for 6. To many people's amazement, though, Shardul left before Dhoni did.

On Sunday, MS Dhoni's choice to bat at number nine gave rise to a number of amusing responses, which gave meme creators a field day. Meanwhile, the dubious call from the team devastated a few CSK supporters.

Despite saving himself for end-of-overs cameos, MS Dhoni had been striking beautifully in the 2024 Indian Premier League. Significantly, in CSK's tenth game of the season, Dhoni was removed for the first time when he was run out for an 11-ball 14 against Punjab in their previous match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.