Honest assessment of Irfan Pathan's potential role in the IPL 2024
In the season opener match of the 2024 Indian Premier League on Friday, Chennai Super Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The match will also see Mahendra Singh Dhoni return to competitive cricket action for the first time since the last IPL; however, there remain significant doubts over the role the CSK captain will play this year.
Talking to Star Sports, Pathan stated that he met with Dhoni ‘a few days ago’, and while the CSK skipper's knee looks fine, it won't be a catalyst for Dhoni to promote himself.
Pathan wondered as he spoke about Dhoni’s fitness: “Last year, Dhoni said he was giving a gift to his fans with his cricket. I met with him a few days ago; he was playing pickleball for two hours non-stop. His knee was as fit as it ever was. It's an exciting time for fans; he now has his vintage-old look. Will we get the vintage old Dhoni too?”
The former all-rounder, who has worked under Dhoni at CSK, said, “His role has changed in the past two years. He comes in lower-order, plays fewer deliveries, but hits the big shots; the strike rate is high. It's a small innings, but a memorable one. I think there won't be much of a change in that this year. He will continue to play that role and would want to contribute with his captaincy. But there won't be complaints if he treats the fans with more.”