Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was not happy to see MS Dhoni come to bat at No. 9 during the IPL 2024 match between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 5. However, CSK lost quite a few wickets in the first half of their innings and despite Dhoni being in good form, he came to bat after Shardul Thakur and Mitchell Santner.

CSK struggled a bit against Punjab Kings

However, Harbhajan Singh claimed that MS Dhoni decided to come in at No. 9 as the veteran believed nothing at CSK would happen without Dhoni’s consent.

He told to Star Sports: “MS Dhoni shouldn’t play if he wants to bat at the number nine slot. It is better to include a fast bowler than him in the playing XI. He is the decision-maker and has let down his team by not coming out to bat. Nothing happens without his permission and I am not ready to accept that this decision to demote him was taken by someone else.”

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

MS Dhoni has been in good form in IPL 2024

However, Harbhajan Singh’s stern words for MS Dhoni came after he was dismissed for a golden duck despite holding himself back to bat at No. 9 as well. The former off-spinner also claimed that the kind of shots Dhoni has played so far this season was hard to replicate and perhaps that’s the reason why he should have taken the responsibility.

“I have too much respect for him (Dhoni) to celebrate when I get him out. One of the advantages of playing a day game is that the square is quite rough. So the ball starts reversing. In my first over it was reversing. It’s all about the feel of that delivery (slower one). More you bowl the better you get. Most batters don’t pick it,” said Harshal Patel.