In contemporary T20 cricket, the “entry point” has become as popular as the reverse sweep or carrom ball. It describes the precise time a batter emerges to the middle—a malleable term in this version, particularly for the replacements who bat after the openers.
For Chennai Super Kings legend and ex-India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, this ‘entry point’ has become a subject of intense debate during the current Season 18 of the Indian Premier League. Dhoni, now 43 years old, has been turning up very late, at No. 9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, when CSK required an unlikely 98 off 26 balls, and at No. 7 in the subsequent two matches.
But on both occasions, he came in when the game was practically beyond recovery. Against Rajasthan Royals, the challenge was to score 54 off 25 balls. Against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk, the challenge was even greater—110 off 56 balls. As could be expected, CSK failed both times.
The bigger picture? Five-time champions CSK, who ruled between 2018 and 2023, have now lost three consecutive matches following their initial win against Mumbai Indians. Their downfall is driven primarily by poor starts and a slow, old-fashioned style of play. The team has the poorest Powerplay strike rate, scoring only 7.5 runs per over, nearly four runs short of table-toppers Rajasthan Royals. To add insult to injury, CSK have lost eight wickets in the Powerplay across four matches, scoring 11, 8, 0, and 14 off their first wicket while chasing.
So, the question is: if the top order is not doing the job and Dhoni is coming in too late to make a difference, why not push him up the order or even up to No. 3?
In T20s, the batting number is much less important than how many overs are remaining. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has been quoted as saying, “It’s a time thing—MS judges it. His knees aren’t what they used to be. He’s moving OK, but there’s still an attrition aspect to it.”
But there is an argument to be made. Allowing Dhoni to bat in the Powerplay, when fielding restrictions create openings and fewer outfielders, might play to his strengths. Particularly because Dhoni is better against pace than spin—he excels when bowlers give him the pace to work with. It might be the ideal window to exploit the fast bowlers in the early stages.
Even if Dhoni can’t finish the distance because of physical fatigue, he could retire around the 10th over, paving the way for younger, fresher legs to take the reins. If he’s set and wants to carry on? Even better. The plus is huge, and the risk is minimal—particularly when the present top-order has not clicked. As things are, Dhoni wouldn’t be upsetting a working unit.
This may be an unusual step, sure. But as the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures—and this one just might make cricketing sense.