New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) Former South Africa cricketer Faf du Plessis has voiced his opposition to the notion of promoting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon MS Dhoni in the batting lineup for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, set to begin on March 28. He emphasized that Dhoni's true strength lies in effectively handling the death overs.

At IPL 2026, Dhoni will hold the title of the oldest player in the league and is putting in significant effort during his training sessions ahead of the tournament. Last year, he faced challenges, batting in the 8th position and failing to make a significant impact. Du Plessis believes this should not lead to a change in his batting order.

“There are very few cricketers worldwide who possess the clarity and confidence to perform in the 19th and 20th overs. Many players think that the 19th and 20th overs come with more pressure than the 16th. However, Dhoni’s capability in those final 18 balls, when he can focus intensely on what is needed, is truly unmatched,” Du Plessis shared with Jio Hotstar.

“If you send him in earlier and he gets dismissed, you lose that advantage at the end. CSK has enough players in the middle order, like Brevis and Dube, who excel against spin. Their strengths should be utilized. MS has always excelled in overs 17 to 20, especially against seamers,” he added.

Du Plessis also highlighted the importance of Dhoni's presence on the field for the team's overall success. He provides essential tactical insight to the captain and has a profound understanding of the game.

“MS Dhoni is an exceptional strategist and one of the most accomplished cricketers when it comes to leadership. However, it’s important to note that CSK may not have anticipated Dhoni playing as many seasons as he did, leading them to consider who would take over as captain next.

“Ruturaj was identified as the next leader, and I believe he did a commendable job in his first season. Unfortunately, an injury last season hindered his performance both as a batsman and a captain. Tactically, MS is one of the brightest minds in the sport,” he explained.

“Having him on the field is crucial because of his cricketing acumen. His ability to read and interpret the game, along with his skill in adjusting field placements, is his true superpower. While we all appreciate his batting, it’s his contributions on the field that CSK needs to maximize,” Du Plessis remarked.

Furthermore, Du Plessis commended Dhoni as the quickest wicketkeeper in the sport and argued that despite the arrival of Sanju, Dhoni should remain the team's primary wicketkeeper.

“MS Dhoni being behind the stumps doesn’t always imply immediate action; however, it instills a sense of uncertainty in a young batsman entering the game. As I approach the crease, I might think, ‘What’s this field? Why are there two men there?’ Even if he is not vulnerable in that area,” he stated.

“He plants a seed of doubt, even if it’s through a mere angle change. For a fraction of a second, a batsman might divert their thoughts elsewhere. The skilled players will refocus on their strengths and strategy, while others may dwell on what he’s doing with the field and potentially get out. And let’s not forget, he remains the fastest gloveman in the game,” he added.

Meanwhile, CSK will kick off their campaign against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.