'He should not play if he...' - Harbhajan Singh comes up with 'brutal' statement about MS Dhoni after latter's 'number-9' move against PBKS

It was for the first time in the T20 career of former CSK skipper and veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni when he came to bat at number 9. It happened during CSK’s game against PBKS, the 53rd match of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 4, 2024.

However, this move didn’t work for both Dhoni and CSK as the legendary batter was dismissed on a golden duck and was ‘clean bowled’ by the star PBKS pacer Harshal Patel. The decision of MS Dhoni batting at number 9, even after Shardul Thakur.

Meanwhile, the former Indian off-spinner and the present commentator Harbhajan Singh came up with a fierce take while speaking about MS Dhoni’s move of batting at ‘number-9’ in the game against PBKS and falling on a ‘golden duck’.

“MS Dhoni shouldn't play if he wants to bat at the number 9 slot. Including a fast bowler than him in the XI is better. He is the decision-maker and has let down his team by not coming out to bat,” said Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports.

“Shardul Thakur came ahead of him. Thakur can never hit shots like Dhoni and I don't understand why Dhoni made this mistake. Nothing happens without his permission and I am not ready to accept that this decision to demote him was taken by someone else,” he further added.

'It was shocking that he stayed back' - Harbhajan Singh

Furthermore, Harbhajan Singh also spoke about the situation which demanded CSK in the game against PBKS when MS Dhoni came to bat at number 9.

“CSK needed quick runs and Dhoni has done that in the previous games. It was shocking that he stayed back in the important contest against Punjab Kings. Even if CSK win today, I will still call out Dhoni. Let people say anything. I will say what is right,” he said.