IPL 2024: MS Dhoni or Sameer Rizvi, who should be CSK’s finisher? Sidhu makes his pick

Former India cricketer turned commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu understood that CSK need to give opportunities to Sameer Rizvi and back him as the finisher for the franchise. MS Dhoni turned back the clock with his blazing knock of 37 runs from 16 deliveries against Delhi on March 30, Sunday. However, touted as one of the best finishers, the former CSK captain couldn’t guide his team to a win as CSK suffered their first loss of IPL 2024 against DC by 20 runs.

Rizwi or Dhoni

Answering to a question by Indiatoday.in on Star Sports Press Show, Sidhu said that a talent is nothing without opportunity. He felt the team needed to give that confidence to Rizvi, on whom the franchise shelled out a Rs 8.40 crore in the IPL 2024 auction.

“Talent is nothing without opportunity. You have to give youngsters opportunity. One is giving opportunity and the other thing is the player accepting the challenge. You have got to give Rizvi that confidence,” Sidhu said.

He heaped praise on Dhoni for his ability to bring the best out of the players and instilling that faith to make full use of their abilities.

“The same player isn’t that strong in the other team, but when he comes to Dhoni, he becomes a completely different player, how? Because a good leader is the one who walks behind him and ignites faith,” Sidhu added.

Rizvi announced his arrival in the biggest cricketing extravaganza with a massive six off Rashid Khan’s delivery during the match against GT at Chepauk. The uncapped Indian player smashed a quick-fire 14 from 6 balls to make a crucial contribution to the team’s total.

However, the youngster couldn’t replicate his performance in the match against DC as he was dismissed for a golden duck during CSK’s stiff chase of 192 runs. Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja shared an unbeaten stand of 51 runs from 23 deliveries, but their late blitz wasn’t enough to help the team cross the finishing line. Sidhu acknowledged that Dhoni has got nothing to prove and will look to unlock the next gen's potential.

"A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of vinegar. So, therefore, fitting people in their rightful place is what is most important. Dhoni is an asset, when he bats and finishes. Jadeja and Dhoni, one plus one is 11. They are multiplying their strength. Dhoni has nothing to prove. The biggest strength of a leader is that he builds future leaders. He will actually unlock potential for the youngsters."

Sidhu talked about the importance of finishers in the sport and how their contributions in the death overs could prove to be a make or break for the team’s result.

“The bigger challenge is not batting at No. 3 or No. 4, the bigger challenge is when you bat for the last six overs, the last 7 overs. That is the time when you are really tested, why? That’s when you are going to be scoring 1 ball, 3 runs. 1 ball, 2 and a half. This skill is in a very few people. I am telling you, it's not easy to be a finisher. You are not getting accolades, but it’s the quality of those runs, which actually helps the team win or lose,” Sidhu said.

CSK will look to bounce back as they face Hyderabad in their next match of the season on April 5, Friday.