After the tournament opener of the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a lot was said about the Chepauk pitch when the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a one-sided game. Even MS Dhoni had criticised the surface. But come the second game after seven days, the curators have done a great job and the CSK skipper proved the same by as he finished the innings for his team. His unbeaten knock of 75 runs propelled CSK to 175/5 after 20 overs.
After deciding to bat first, the hosts lost their openers very early. Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson were dismissed in the powerplay itself. Even Kedar Jadhav fell soon as the CSK were in trouble at one stage at 27/3 in the fifth over. Then walked in Dhoni to save the sinking ship at number five and the veteran proved it again. Along with Suresh Raina, he resurrected the innings to the large extent. The veteran duo added 61 runs for the fourth wicket and just when the things were looking great for the team, Jaydev Unadkat Dismissed raina with a slower one.
WATCH – MS Dhoni Finishes The Innings With Three Sixes
On the other hand, Dhoni was calmly rotating the strike and taking the game deep. He didn’t play any rash shot or tried anything out of the box. After Raina’s wicket though Dwayne Bravo came and played a 27-run cameo much to the give some reason for his fans to cheer. As the innings went into the 19th over, Mahi went berserk and he was now set to launch his special massacre on the bowler.
Unfortunately for Unadkat, he came in the firing line in the last over. Dhoni brought all his experience together to smash the left-arm bowler for three sixes off the last four balls. The CSK skipper dispatched all kind of variations from the southpaw into the stands to eke out 28 runs off the final over.
Here is the video of Dhoni’s innings:
Dhoni's sixes…!!https://t.co/VMTymRXOkF
— Vidshots (@Vidshots1) March 31, 2019
Dhoni finished on 75 off just 46 deliveries with the help of four fours and as many sixes as the CSK managed to add 60 runs off last three overs. The finisher never went out of the sight and this form from MS Dhoni must be great news for the Indian fans.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
M S Dhoni has got to be the coolest leader to have walked onto ancrixket field. I hope all the young kids around the world copy MSD’s body language, demeanor and calmness. #CSK.
— ian bishop (@irbishi) March 31, 2019
What a knock to witness. #MSD, you beauty 😍#CSKvRR
— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) March 31, 2019
MS Dhoni's highest scores in #IPL
79* (44) – CSK v KXIP (Mohali) 15 Apr 2018
75* (46) – CSK v RR (Chennai) tonight
(prev HS at Chennai: 67* v SRH in 2013)#CSKvRR#IPL2019— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 31, 2019
MS Dhoni will you get you out of trouble, take you to safety and slip into the background as quickly. Every time. #CSKvRR #VIVOIPL
— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) March 31, 2019
Whistle Podu…. 🙏🤗 #Dhoni #CSKvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 31, 2019
RCB on this track: 70
MS Dhoni here: 75*
Dhoni won by 5 runs. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 31, 2019
Most unbeaten scores of 70-plus for keepers in IPL:
4 – MS Dhoni*
3 – KL Rahul #CSKvRR— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 31, 2019
Take a bow @msdhoni, you were sensational! Great final over for #CSK and #RR have a mountain to climb to chase 175 even allowibg for the dew factor
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 31, 2019
This is why everyone backs @msdhoni so much, he knows how to save his team.First, settle in slowly and then destroy the opposition in the final overs. Superb batting! #CSKvRR @ChennaiIPL
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 31, 2019
55 in 10 overs
175 in 20 overs
Only CSK & DHONI can make it possible! #CSKvRR
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2019
If you want a management lesson without going to a renowned B school watch this @msdhoni innings again and again and give yourself an MBA. Class !
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 31, 2019
Brilliant measured innings from Dhoni. Took his time till the end of the mid overs scoring 29 off 27 (at 6.44 rpo). Unleashed at the death scoring 46 off 19 (at 14.52 rpo). He was the most secure playing 8% false shots, while all others played 23.3% false shots #IPL2019 #CSKvRR
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) March 31, 2019
