Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has said that MS Dhoni could have handed the ball to either Anshul Kamboj or Ravindra Jadeja rather than Khaleel Ahmed, wondering if Dhoni still has the same amount of energy to propel his team to wins, after playing 18 seasons and at 43 years of age.
Chennai lost by just two runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 3, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, for the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League, scripted a double over the former in a single season.
Khaleel, who was smacked for 32 runs in his first two overs in the powerplay, was taken to the cleaners by Romario Shepherd, who hit 33 runs in the 19th over, which included a six off a no-ball.
“Tactically, I don’t know if a huge difference could have been made. Given going back to Khaleel was risky at the back end because he had gone for somewhat 32 runs in the first two overs,” Gilchrist said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
“Maybe he could have gone to Kamboj. Given where Noor finished, Jadeja with an extra over of spin is what he could have gone with. It’s such a mixed bag. They also bowled 45 dot balls,” Gilchrist said.
“MS…he is never animated or shows any visible signs that he is upset. I just wonder if the energy is still being generated for him internally. Whether the brain is still ticking for him as astutely as it always has, as he edges closer and closer to the end,” Gilchrist added.
The former Australian cricketer raised questions on Dhoni‘s batting ability at the age of 43, saying that during his peak, he would not have missed that full-toss from Yash Dayal that got him out.
