Aakash Chopra has given the credit to MS Dhoni for helping players flourish when they play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, CSK posted a 227-run target for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their IPL 2023 clash in Bengaluru on Monday, April 17. Their bowlers then restricted RCB to 218/8 to win the game by eight runs and move to the third spot in the points table as well.
While talking about the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opened up on Dhoni’s role in extracting the best from the players when they play for CSK, saying: “Ajinkya Rahane likes Bangalore and batted very well till the time he was there. Shivam Dube also batted very well. He was earlier a part of RCB and then the Rajasthan Royals as well but what do you see with Dhoni – all other teams find players, MS Dhoni doesn’t find but makes players.”
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He also pointed out that the likes of Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane have given stunning performances while playing under the legendary skipper, stating: “It is heartwarming to see the players performing under him. Shivam Dube’s story is the same and we are seeing a different Ajinkya Rahane in the two or three matches he has played. He hit a pulled six – what a shot.”
Shivam Dube smashed a 27-ball 52 against RCB, a knock studded with two fours and five sixes. Rahane scored 37 runs off 20 balls and added together a 74-run second-wicket partnership with Devon Conway in just seven overs after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s early dismissal in the game.
Aakash Chopra also praised Devon Conway for playing an amazing knock for CSK at the top of the order, saying: “Devon Conway was outstanding. He batted in a very good fashion. He is a good player, there is no doubt about that. All left-handers are in slight danger against Mohammed Siraj but Devon Conway did not have any issues. He played with a lot of freedom.”
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“The captaincy surprised you a little. I was thinking that everything else was fine but Hasaranga bowled just two overs. He even picked up a wicket. He bowled Vijaykumar Vyshak and he got hit for a lot of runs. In my opinion, not bowling Wanindu Hasaranga was a bad miss.” Aakash Chopra concluded.
