South African cricket legend AB de Villiers has made a significant remark about MS Dhoni's batting position ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He clearly stated that Dhoni should not bat below number 6, as doing so, at positions 8 or 9, lessens his influence on the game. This statement was made in an interview with JioStar, where he acknowledged Dhoni's exceptional contributions to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and indicated that Dhoni's identity is closely tied to the CSK brand.

De Villiers raised concerns regarding Dhoni's recent roles within the team, suggesting that they seemed restricted to merely sustaining the brand rather than being impactful on the field. He emphasized the need for Dhoni to take on a more central batting role if he aims to retain his effectiveness, arguing that batting lower in the order portrays an impression that he is part of the team for incorrect reasons, especially if he is not taking up the captaincy duties. This perspective aligns with a competitive outlook as the IPL attracts players with highly scrutinized performances.

The former South African cricketer reiterated that Dhoni still possesses the ability to finish crucial matches but will require more responsibility and a higher batting position to exhibit that talent. Through this commentary, De Villiers is not only critiquing a fellow cricketer but also reinforcing the notion that every player must adapt their roles to remain significant as the game evolves, particularly in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL where strategy and position can heavily decide the outcome of matches.