Entry point is a contemporary term that has entered the vocabulary of modern cricket, akin to phrases like reverse sweep, switch hit, and carrom ball.

The term "entry point" refers to the moment a batter steps onto the field. For players other than the openers, this can occur from the second ball onward for the No. 3 batter, and so forth.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's entry point has sparked considerable debate as Season 18 of the Indian Premier League progresses into its third week. In their second match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he batted as low as No. 9, facing a daunting task of scoring 98 runs off 26 balls. In the subsequent two matches, he has come in at No. 7.

However, by the time Dhoni, now a youthful 43, arrives at the crease, the outcome of the match is often already determined. In the game against Rajasthan Royals, CSK required 54 runs from 25 balls, and the challenge was even greater on Saturday evening at Chepauk against Delhi Capitals, where they needed 110 runs in just 56 balls. Unsurprisingly, CSK fell short in both instances, losing by six and 25 runs, respectively.

The five-time champions, who secured the trophy three times in six years between 2018 and 2023, have now lost three consecutive matches since their victory over Mumbai Indians in their opening game, nearing a critical juncture. Much of their struggles can be attributed to disappointing performances from their top order and a cautious, outdated approach. They currently hold the lowest scoring rate in the Powerplay among all teams, resembling a dilapidated vehicle on a Formula One track. With a scoring rate of 7.5 runs per over—almost four runs less than the Rajasthan Royals, who lead in the first six overs—they have lost eight wickets during this phase across four matches. Their scores before losing their first wicket have been 11, 8, 0, and 14, all while batting second. This raises the question: Shouldn't there be a case for Dhoni to bat higher in the order, perhaps at No. 3, considering CSK's lack of substantial starts and the fact that Dhoni's potential is being underutilized?

Dhoni up the order? Why not?

In T20 cricket, the batting order holds less significance compared to other formats, with the focus primarily on the number of deliveries remaining in the innings. Stephen Fleming, the long-time coach of CSK, has publicly stated that Dhoni is unable to bat aggressively for an entire ten overs. "It's a matter of timing - MS has a knack for judging it," Fleming remarked. "His knees aren't as strong as they once were. He moves reasonably well, but there is still an element of wear and tear."

This raises the question: why not position Dhoni higher in the batting order? Perhaps even during the Powerplay, when fielding restrictions are in effect, the urgency to sprint between wickets is lessened, and there are ample gaps to exploit. Historically, as demonstrated in this IPL season and previous ones, Dhoni has shown a greater affinity for facing fast bowlers rather than spinners. He thrives when he can capitalize on the pace offered by quicker bowlers instead of having to generate his own against spin. Therefore, it may be advantageous to utilize him in the initial phase of the innings, particularly since CSK has struggled to generate significant runs from their top order, which includes Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealander who scored two centuries in four matches during the recent Champions Trophy, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has yet to find his rhythm this season at the No. 3 position.

If Dhoni can remain unbeaten until around the 10th over, he would likely accumulate a substantial number of runs, many of which would come from boundaries due to the reduced number of fielders. Should he feel that his knees are not up to the task of batting through the innings, he could opt to retire out, allowing a fresher player to build on the foundation he has set. If he chooses to continue batting, that would be even better. If this strategy does not yield the desired results, it is not a significant loss, as Dhoni would not be disrupting a highly effective top order, especially considering that one of the primary reasons CSK finds themselves in their current position is...

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