MS Dhoni turned back the clock and scored 37* (16) for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday, March 31. It happened during the IPL 2024 match versus Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vizag. However, it was insufficient as CSK succumbed by 20 runs, with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja remaining undefeated at the crease to the finish.
DC batted first in the tournament, scoring 191/5 in 20 overs with contributions from Rishabh Pant (51) and David Warner (52). CSK then got off to a terrible start in the powerplay, with DC pacer Khaleel Ahmed extracting swing with the new ball. He kept the scoring pace low, surrendering only nine runs in his first three overs.
They were unable to get enough momentum from there and fought to keep the needed pace under control. The constant fall of wickets did not assist them either. MS Dhoni came out to bat in the 17th over, with 72 runs required in 23 balls.
MS Dhoni gave his all with a scorching cameo, but it was insufficient since he had no help from the other end. He hammered three sixes and four fours, finishing undefeated.
MS Dhoni‘s outstanding batting performance wowed fans, who praised him on social media. Here’s some of the better reactions:
CSK Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad Reflects on Wicket Conditions Following Loss to DC in IPL 2024
After the match, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad remarked on the loss, saying:
“I was pretty much happy with how the bowlers came back after first six overs, kind of start they had, 60 for no loss and restricting them to 190 was a good effort. I thought the wicket played good slightly on the better side in the first innings, but in the second innings there was some seam movement off the deck and spongy bounce as well.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad continued:
“At the half-way stage it felt like it was still gettable, after three or four overs, there was extra seam movement in the powerplay and we were always catching up, we couldn’t get one big over to come back into the contest.
“To be on the losing side, just by the margin of 20 runs, matter of two or three hits and with the bowling, if we had stopped a couple of boundaries here and there it would’ve made the difference.“
Ruturaj Gaikwad
MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings will play an away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday (April 5).