At the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) easily defeated the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a score of 27 runs. As a result of this, CSK secured second place in the league, while DC plummeted to tenth. With this defeat, DC are almost eliminated from the competition.
On a slow wicket with lots of spin and the ball holding on the surface, CSK scored an above-average total of 167/8 in their opening innings. With most batters scoring in the 20s, the CSK hitting effort was collaborative.
DC only managed to score a total of 140/8 in response. The visiting batters had a rough day because none of them really succeeded in putting the CSK bowlers under any strain. Despite their best efforts, Manish Pandey (27 runs off 29 balls) and Rilee Rossouw (35 runs off 37 balls) scored the runs relatively slowly.
Once again, Axar Patel (21 runs off 12 balls) was sent too late to make any kind of an effect on the game’s outcome. Ravindra Jadeja (4-0-19-1), Moeen Ali (4-0-16-0), and Matheesha Pathirana (4-0-37-3) were CSK’s top bowlers.
It was exciting to watch MS Dhoni, who has been dealing with a significant knee injury since the first game of the season, perform exceptionally well with the bat while finding it difficult to even run properly. But this is not the first time “Captain Cool” has risked his body for his team.
Here are 3 instances where injured MS Dhoni helped significantly with the bat:
1) PBKS vs CSK, IPL 2018
CSK was in serious difficulty at 56/3 in 6.4 overs while attempting to chase down a score of 198 against a powerful PBKS attack that included players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
MS Dhoni (79* runs off 44 balls), who was experiencing excruciating back pain, nearly single-handedly led his team to victory in an improbable circumstance. During his quick-fire innings, the keeper-batsman hit six fours and five sixes for a strike rate of 179.55.
When asked about his back problems at the conclusion of his game, he replied:
“The back is pretty bad but God has given me lot of power and I don’t need to use my back a lot. My arms can do the job. It shouldn’t be so bad. I am used to playing with the injuries. You have to be tough.”
2) KKR vs CSK, IPL 2019
CSK were in trouble at 81/4 after 11.1 overs while attempting to chase down a hard total of 162 on a difficult pitch at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. MS Dhoni, who placed sixth, was dealing with a back spasm. The captain (16 runs off 13 balls) supported the well-positioned Suresh Raina when needed to ensure that CSK crossed the finish line.
Even though his time at the crease was brief, he attacked the KKR spinners. He eventually fell in the 16th over, but CSK had already been placed in a position to win the game. Suresh Raina (58* runs off 42 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (31* runs off 17 balls) took care of the rest and CSK won the game in the final over.
In the post-game ceremony, he said the following regarding his back:
“Spasm. It is a bit tight right now. Hopefully, it will get better.”
He commented on his aggressive approach against the spinners:
“You have to be [aggressive]. We bat quite deep. When there’s a chance against a particular bowler, you have to take it. Can’t really leave too many at the end. Depending on the opposition and conditions, you have to keep changing your plan. Today was a day when I wanted to go after the bowlers slightly early. It paid-off well. It was a good chase.”
3) India vs England, 6th ODI, 2006
The inexperienced Indian team, batting first against a strong England team, was reduced to 79/5 in 15.3 overs. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly were absent from the Indian Team.
Young MS Dhoni, who was starting for India for the first time, struck a magnificent half-century in such difficult circumstances, coming extremely close to a well-earned hundred (96 runs off 106 balls).
Dhoni batted till the 39th over in Jamshedpur’s oppressive 44°C heat in the month of April. Dhoni had to bat with an ice pack on his back due to cramps and heat exhaustion.
The plan, however, was unsuccessful since Dhoni was out the very next ball after putting on the pack. His and Ramesh Powar’s half-centuries (54 runs off 83 balls), helped India to a respectable total of 223. With a little more than seven overs remaining and five wickets in hand, England eventually completed the goal chase.
With that, we conclude our look at “3 Instances When Injured MS Dhoni Played a Crucial Role with the Bat!” Can you think of any further examples? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below.