CSK skipper MS Dhoni criticized for wasting time against Gujarat Titans (SportzPix)
Former ICC umpire Daryl Harper criticizes MS Dhoni for his time-wasting antics in IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans
Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni is a cult hero across the nation but due to his recent gesture against Gujarat Titans, the CSK skipper has drawn some criticism after his time-wasting antics against GT in IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 . Former ICC umpire Daryl Harper was not at all happy with Dhoni’s ‘disgraceful’ gesture and went on to suggest that the CSK skipper could be ‘above the law’.
During the clash between CSK and GT in Chennai, before the 16th over, Dhoni-led Yellow Army players surrounded the umpires.
Hardik Pandya’s side needed 71 off 30 balls but the CSK skipper was not ready to take any chances as he wanted Mathisha Pathirana to bowl but was refused. The umpires told him that the Sri Lankan pacer had been out of action for four minutes and that, according to the rules, he had to be on the ground for the same amount of time he was out of action to be eligible to bowl.
With four minutes left for Pathirana to bowl, Dhoni and his CSK players were seen in an animated conversation with the umpires which went on for over four minutes before Pathirana came in to bowl.
It was also criticized by former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar, with ex-ICC umpire Harper stating that the move clearly violates the spirit of cricket, and adding that Dhoni should have replaced any other bowler for that particular over. could be taken
“Dhoni wasted time allowing his preferred bowling option to deliver the crucial 16th over. That’s the only conclusion I can draw from that dismal spectacle,” Harper told Mid Day.
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“The issue for me is lack of respect for the spirit of cricket and the umpires’ instructions. others were [bowling] Substituted for captain, but was overlooked. Maybe, some people are bigger than the law or in this case the spirit of cricket. It’s always disheartening to see the lengths some people can go to win.”