AB de Villiers Advocates for MS Dhoni to Bat Higher in CSK Lineup

In a recent discussion, Ab de Villiers expressed his views on MS Dhoni's batting position within the Chennai Super Kings. He believes that Dhoni should bat higher in the order to reflect his capabilities rather than his legacy. With the upcoming IPL 2026 season, the dynamics of Dhoni's role may shift, especially with the addition of Sanju Samson to the team. This article explores De Villiers' recommendations and the implications for CSK's strategy in the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 13:19 IST

De Villiers Questions Dhoni's Batting Position

Former cricketer Ab de Villiers has raised concerns regarding MS Dhoni's position in the batting order for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He suggested that if Dhoni is slated to bat at positions eight or nine, it indicates a misalignment in team selection, emphasizing that players should be chosen based on their current performance rather than their legacy. Dhoni has been synonymous with CSK since the league's inception, except for the two seasons when the team faced a ban. Despite ongoing speculation about his retirement, Dhoni has continued to defy expectations and play for CSK, although his contributions have largely been limited to wicketkeeping and hitting a few balls in the final overs. With the addition of Sanju Samson to the squad, Dhoni's role may further diminish.

De Villiers expressed his thoughts on JioStar, stating, "If he's going to play the role of batting at 8 or 9 and not really captaining, then I just feel he's almost making up a spot and is almost there for the wrong reasons. And that's not the position that he deserves to be in."

AB de Villiers' Recommendations for Dhoni

AB De Villiers Wants MS Dhoni To Bat At 4 Or 5

De Villiers further elaborated that if Dhoni is to remain with CSK, he should ideally bat at least at the fifth position or higher. He believes that Dhoni should embrace the pressure of crucial moments in matches. "He's got to bat himself up to, at the latest, number 6. I would even like to see him at 5 or 4 sometimes," De Villiers remarked, emphasizing the need for Dhoni to take on significant responsibilities during critical phases of the game.

Upcoming CSK Matches in IPL 2026

CSK Schedule For IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings are set to kick off their IPL 2026 journey against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. Following this, they will face the Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 3, and on April 5, they will compete against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Additionally, CSK will host the Delhi Capitals on April 11. Currently, only the schedule for the first 20 matches has been released, with the complete schedule expected to be announced soon.