"I feel he should have been banned for a few games by IPL to set an example," says Virendra Sehwag on MS Dhoni's on-field argument with umpires

Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni was let off easily for his angry outburst on umpire Ulhas Gandhe and he should have been "banned for two to three games" to set a proper example.

Dhoni was docked only 50 percent of his match fees for entering the field of play to confront Gandhe for backtracking on a waist-high no-ball.

He has been criticised by one and all but Sehwag is the first A list former India cricketer to demand suspension for his one-time teammate.

"I feel Dhoni was let off easy and should have been banned for at least 2-3 games. Because if he did this, tomorrow another captain can do the same. Then what is the value of an umpire," Sehwag, known for his straight talk, was quoted as saying by the 'Cricbuzz' website. 

Sehwag didn't mince words when he said that a fitting punishment would have set a precedent.

"I feel he should have been banned for a few games by IPL to set an example. He should have stayed outside and instead have talked to the fourth umpire with the walkie talkie," Sehwag said.

"I feel he shouldn't have come to the ground when there are two CSK members already and they were equally inquisitive regarding the no-ball," he opined.

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Dhoni's passion whenever he wears the yellow CSK jersey is unmatched and at times his involvement for his franchise in the cash-rich league shows.

In fact, Sehwag cheekily mentioned that he has never seen the Indian skipper so agitated when he led India.

"Had he done this for the Indian team, I would have been happy. I have never seen him so angry during his captaincy days for the Indian team. So I feel he became a little too emotional for the Chennai team," Sehwag said. 

Fans were witness to some spectacular scenes at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Thursday as the Chennai Super Kings scored a sensational victory over the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Perhaps the most unprecedented of the lot was MS Dhoni - Captain Cool - storming on to the field over a no-ball that wasn't given.

It had been a barnstormer of a match, especially the final few overs, as CSK attempted to chase down the Royals' 151-run target. Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni had held firm for the away team, each scoring a half-century and putting up a key partnership to keep their side in the match.

Rayudu was caught out eventually, however, leaving Dhoni and Jadeja as the pinch-hitters. Dhoni took the lead but was hit on the head by a 143 kmph bouncer by Jofra Archer. While he didn't react to the impact immediately, he did appear to feel it later on, visibly tiring between balls and once even requiring a significant breather. After an extraordinary Ravindra Jadeja six to set things up nicely for the Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni was clean-bowled by Ben Stokes - but that wasn't the last time that match that he'd take the field.

Just a few balls later, Stokes bowled what can only be described as a beamer - his wild full-toss being met by Santner at full height. While umpire Ulhas Gandhe was about to signal the delivery as a non-bell, Bruce Oxenford, standing at square leg, said it was a legitimate delivery. Seeing this, Santner and Ravindra Jadeja got into an argument with the umpires. With the match tilting towards the Rajasthan Royals, an incandescent MS Dhoni marched onto the field. 

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(With PTI inputs)