'He's scripted it so well, absolutely vintage' - Brian Lara, Aaron Finch in awe of MS Dhoni's heroics against LSG

Former West Indian cricketer Brian Lara shared his thoughts on MS Dhoni's batting against LSG. Lara was in awe of the CSK finisher after he belted 28 off just nine deliveries at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. Dhoni’s quickfire cameo could not take his team to a winning total, however, his remarkable ability of taking on the bowlers from the get go at the age of 42 has left one and all impressed. 

”It's just brilliant. The question has to be asked would you like to bat higher? Because I can see he's making valuable contributions. But there are a couple of losing causes as well. So, I think that should be a consideration. At 42, he's most likely thinking from the team’s point of view, that the young guys got to do the job. But I think the middle of the innings told a little bit too much about CSK batting. And it created the fact that even though he exploded at the end and he did that Dhoni thing at the end and it still was not enough,” Lara said on Star Sports Cricket Live.

“So, I think they will have to go back to the drawing room. And realize that they need to be a little bit more aggressive throughout the innings. Because at the back end, you've got the man to come.  And if he gets two three overs, as he did against Mumbai Indians.  And propelled them above 200. They need to think about that all the time," he added.

Also read: Team isn't surprised with MS Dhoni's show because his skill level during pre-season was very high: Stephen Fleming

Lara shared his thoughts on moments when MS Dhoni comes to bat and support he gathers around his presence during any CSK match.

"That's the terrific part of the game. I've said it over and over again, when you have a guy aged 42, a legend, an icon in the game, someone who has played in the IPL for so many years and you don't know when he's going to say, hey, that's it. He comes out to bat and I think it's just a moment to savour and everyone is just going to feel amazing about this. It's going to be a lot of emotions, but then he walks out and does the business. And at 42, you are thinking, well, let's strategise. We need to put this man at a certain place to ensure that we can win matches because he's going out there, he is putting runs on the board and maybe on the back of some poor batting or partnerships,” Lara said.

“So, right now he's in a predicament because he most likely loves what he's doing. He is 42 and he got the glove in his hands. He is batting at seven or eight and he's making his own contributions in five, ten balls he faced. He may not have to look and say, listen, I may have to go up the order because I may need a little bit more runs. He has batted five, six times now and remained unbeaten. So, any team strategising would say, well, obviously you have to go up. But I don't think he will," he added. 

Lara further elaborated on MS Dhoni fitness and running between the wickets. "He's still doing it today and let's make sure that he's on the park for all the matches in this IPL for CSK.  But yeah, running between the wickets where he is aware of the situation and aware of that the matchup for him is just the correct matchup. And it just looked like when you look at the counter, there's two umpires, 11 fielders, and a bowler, and then there's these fans, and they all just look like spectators when he's striking the ball.  Fielders diving to his left, he can't get it, fielders looking his head, he can't get it.  It's just his show.  He's just scripted it so well."

Also read: At 42, MS Dhoni is still very fit, focussed and hungry: Tom Moody

Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch shared his thoughts on MS Dhoni and the kind of impact he has on everyone, said, "I was on commentary when MS Dhoni walked out to bat, and the guys in the commentary box were just soaking up the atmosphere of MS Dhoni walking out to bat in a situation like this because the crowd was just going nuts and there were no words needed. It was just something that you wanted to experience. And it didn't need anyone talking over us. I can't wait to be there at the Chepauk when he walks out again. The Lucknow crowd got all their money's worth after the way MS Dhoni finished that first inning, it was absolute vintage."