IPL 2020 in UAE: Dhoni needs some time to get his touch back, says Sourav Ganguly

Dubai: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been under fire for not bringing himself up the batting order for Chennai Super Kings so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), found a backer in the ‘dada’ of Indian cricket - Sourav Ganguly.

‘‘You have to give him some time. Let’s not forget he is playing competitive cricket after one and-a-half years,’’ said Ganguly, former Indian skipper and now the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Speaking to local media at a promotional event in his city Kolkata on Monday, Ganguly - who was in the UAE for two weeks for the launch of the IPL - said: ‘‘When Dhoni was at his peak and I was a part of the broadcast team, I had said that he would bat at number four.’’ Dhoni, who quit international cricket in mid-August, had come as low as in No.7 position in a game as the three-time champions have looked a bit out of sorts in the early stages of the tournament.

‘‘The more the people, the harder it become. Touchwood it’s going good. I must congratulate the players. It’s been hardest for them because it’s not easy to stay in a hotel room for two months. Lot of credit to them,’’ he said.