India, March 29 -- 'Bizarre'. That was the pithiest of the several passionate messages one received when R Ashwin walked out to bat on Friday night, at 80 for six as Chennai Super Kings chased 197 for victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Bizarre, not because of who walked into bat, but because who did not.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is 43 years of age, but he is much more than a middle-aged (?) cricketer. In Chennai, across India and, one suspects, in many parts of the world, he is an emotion, much like Sachin Tendulkar was. The passage of time has diminished some - only some - of his ball-striking abilities, but with 117 needed off 43 deliveries, who would you have in the middle?

Would you place your eggs in the Ashwin basket, a bas...