MS Dhoni Aims to Play Full 20 Overs as Wicketkeeper, Rules Out Impact Sub Role Subramaniam Badrinath, a former Chennai Super Kings batter, has stated that MS Dhoni has made it clear he intends to field for the full 20 overs as a wicketkeeper in the Indian Premier League (IPL), rejecting the idea of playing as an Impact Sub. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Badrinath emphasized that Dhoni has personally ruled out the role of an Impact Player, insisting he sees himself as a full-time keeper. This decision, according to Badrinath, means Dhoni will remain on the field for the entire duration of the innings, rather than being brought in for a limited spell. Badrinath explained that Dhoni’s preference for a full-time role is rooted in his identity as a wicketkeeper. “He has personally told me he won’t play as an Impact Player. He sees himself as a full-time keeper, and that means he has to be on the field for the full 20 overs,” Badrinath said. However, the 46-year-old also acknowledged that playing as an Impact Sub could offer tactical advantages for the Chennai Super Kings, particularly given Dhoni’s age and reduced involvement with the bat. Badrinath highlighted concerns about Dhoni’s physical condition, noting that his body may not withstand the demands of prolonged play. “His body cannot withstand long durations, which even Stephen Fleming has said. He is only going to bat after the 16th over and keep wickets. When his participation is so less, he would be ideal as an Impact Player,” Badrinath added. This perspective underscores the tension between Dhoni’s personal aspirations and the practical considerations of his fitness and role in the team’s strategy. Dhoni, who is 45 years old, has faced significant fitness challenges in recent seasons.#chennai_super_kings #ms_dhoni #ipl #subramaniam_badrinath #wicketkeeping
CSK Told To Sack Ruturaj Gaikwad As Captain, Replace Him With... Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Subramaniam Badrinath has publicly urged the franchise to remove Ruturaj Gaikwad from his captaincy role and replace him with Sanju Samson, citing the latter’s superior leadership qualities and the potential benefits for both the player and the team. Badrinath argued that Gaikwad’s performance as a batter has been hampered by the responsibilities of leading the side, and that transitioning him back to his primary role as a batsman would allow him to thrive. Gaikwad, who became the fourth player to captain CSK and the first after MS Dhoni to lead the team for over 30 matches, has faced significant challenges this season. Despite his reputation as a formidable T20 batter, his captaincy has not translated into consistent results. Leading a team that has struggled with injuries and a lack of form, Gaikwad has secured 14 wins in 33 matches, failing to secure a playoff berth. His batting statistics this season have also been subpar, with 337 runs scored at a strike rate of 123.44. Notably, he became the first captain-opener to play more than 20 balls without scoring a boundary, a stark contrast to his usual aggressive style. Badrinath emphasized that Gaikwad’s batting prowess is more critical to CSK’s success than his captaincy. “Ruturaj Gaikwad should not lead CSK,” Badrinath stated on his YouTube channel. “It should be Sanju Samson who should lead them. Ruturaj the batter is too important for CSK. His batting is more important than his captaincy because, anyway, Sanju Samson is a better captain than him.” The former player highlighted that removing Gaikwad from the captaincy would free him to focus on his batting, which he believes would significantly improve his performance.#sanju_samson #chennai_super_kings #ruturaj_gaikwad #ipl #subramaniam_badrinath
