The Ekana Cricket Stadium, typically adorned in Lucknow Super Giants’ blue, radiated with the vibrant yellow of the Chennai Super Kings’ faithful as they descended upon it for the IPL 2024 clash, match no. 34. However, the home team’s fans were in for a surprise as the defending champions found themselves in a spot of bother after being put in to bat first.
With the top order crumbling and the middle order struggling, CSK languished at 87/4, facing an uphill task. It was then that Ravindra Jadeja, amidst the chaos, steadied the ship with his first half-century of the season. The real game-changer, though, was the legendary MS Dhoni’s blitzkrieg of a cameo, a whirlwind 9-ball 28 that set the stadium alight.
Dhoni’s audacious strokeplay, comprising three boundaries and two towering sixes, lifted the team’s total to a respectable 176 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. His brief but impactful innings ignited the crowd, transforming the Ekana Cricket Stadium into a cacophonous sea of cheers, reminiscent of the electrifying atmosphere at Chepauk.
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Amidst the uproar, an intriguing incident unfolded. Sasha de Kock, wife of Quinton de Kock and a spectator at the match, received an alert on her smartwatch, indicating the soaring decibel levels in the stadium. She shared a snapshot on her Instagram story, revealing that the sound had reached a thunderous 95 decibels when Dhoni strode out to bat.
A finishing flourish that entertained a packed house in Lucknow 🏟️
Adding smiles to the faces of the Lucknow crowd, the MSD way 💛#TATAIPL | #LSGvCSK | @ChennaiIPL | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/vdCzmuzqPS
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2024
“Loud environment. Sound levels hit 95 decibels. Just 10 minutes at this level can cause temporary hearing loss,” read the text on Sasha de Kock’s smartwatch.
While Dhoni’s heroics injected life into the contest, they were ultimately insufficient to secure a third consecutive victory for the defending champions. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, with their scintillating half-centuries, orchestrated a spectacular chase for LSG.
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The duo formed a formidable 134-run partnership at the top, effectively dashing any hopes CSK harboured of a win. Captain Rahul’s sublime 53-ball 82, complemented by De Kock’s solid 54 off 43, laid the foundation for LSG’s emphatic eight-wicket triumph, achieved with an over to spare.
