"He won't spare you" - Mohammad Kaif on MS Dhoni's potential battle with Yash Dayal in CSK-RCB IPL 2024 clash
Mohammad Kaif reckons MS Dhoni will take Yash Dayal to the cleaners if the left-arm seamer bowls to him at the death in the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) IPL 2024 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The two teams will square off at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.
A win for CSK will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. However, a win for RCB with a decent margin could help them pip Ruturaj Gaikwad and company to the final playoff berth.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Kaif was asked about the bowlers RCB could potentially employ against MS Dhoni at the death.
"That is the weak area for RCB, that who will you bowl at the death? They brought Yash Dayal, who bowls back-of-the-hand slower ones. MS Dhoni will like his speed a lot. If you bowl at a speed of 125 to 130 kph, he won't spare you. I am giving you that guarantee," he responded.
The former India batter opined that Mohammed Siraj is a better option than Yash Dayal at the death and that the seamers shouldn't bowl yorkers to the CSK wicketkeeper-batter.
"(Mohammed) Siraj has speed. He comes running in. 130 kph bowlers will not work against Dhoni. You need balls to be bowled at 140-145 kph and don't bowl yorkers. He remains ready for the yorker. We have spoken about the short ball, bowl the slower ones, and keep it away," Kaif explained.
Dhoni has smashed 136 runs at a strike rate of 226.66 in 10 innings in IPL 2024. He has been dismissed only twice, including a run-out, and has smoked 11 fours and 12 sixes.
"Karn Sharma won't be able to do that job" - Mohammad Kaif on RCB potentially using a spinner against MS Dhoni
![The Punjab Kings got Rahul Chahar to bowl the 19th over against MS Dhoni. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/05/3d8be-17159280788911-1920.jpg?w=500)
Mohammad Kaif also advised RCB not to use Karn Sharma at the death against MS Dhoni.
"Some teams have started using the spin option. They are bringing Rashid Khan or Rahul Chahar in the 19th or 20th over in front of Dhoni. The tactic has worked to a certain extent but I believe Karn Sharma won't be able to do that job. Karn Sharma's problem is that he wasn't given chances to play regularly earlier," he reasoned.
"He will be under pressure that he is unable to make his place in the XI. He has bowled well in the last few matches but don't give the 19th or 20th over to Karn Sharma. He will be under pressure and Dhoni will dominate. He can hit five or six sixes in an over. Only proper bowlers who are in rhythm and have confidence and form can save you from Dhoni's havoc," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Rahul Chahar conceded only two runs off the four balls he bowled to Dhoni in the penultimate over of CSK's innings against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Chennai. Dhoni smashed Rashid Khan for two sixes and a four when the Gujarat Titans (GT) spinner bowled the final over in their home game against CSK.