Michael Vaughan strongly criticized the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players for their failure to shake hands with MS Dhoni after defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs in Bengaluru on May 18. A video capturing Dhonis sportsmanship in extending his hand for a handshake only to be left waiting as the RCB players walked away circulated widely following the intense match.
Having orchestrated a remarkable comeback to secure their spot in the playoffs the players of RCB basked in extensive celebrations before amicably mingling with their CSK counterparts.
Here’s a video of MS Dhoni standing in line for a handshake before leaving the field:
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— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) May 19, 2024
Speaking to Cricbuzz after the game, Michael Vaughan was upset with the RCB players for not shaking hands with Dhoni, given that it may be his final IPL appearance.
“If there was ever a time for a group of players to show awareness, we don’t know, if that was MS Dhoni’s last game and those players have run around the ground doing handstands when all they need to do is wait, ‘the legend’s over there. We have to just go and shake his hand.”
Michael Vaughan
He added:
“You shake hands and then do your cartwheels and stuff. I wouldn’t want to be an RCB player waking up tomorrow morning thinking MS Dhoni has just announced his retirement and we didn’t have the decency to go and shake his hand first.”
Michael Vaughan
Coming into the game, RCB scored a huge 218/5 in 20 overs, leaving them with 201 to defend for playoff qualifying. RCB’s strong performance saw them restrict CSK to 191/7 in 20 overs, earning them their sixth consecutive win.
The performance resulted in RCB improbably qualifying for the playoffs, while CSK was eliminated.
MS Dhoni was in terrific ball-striking form in IPL 2024
After turning up the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the start of the IPL 2024 season, MS Dhoni batted with tremendous freedom throughout CSK’s season.
The 42-year-old batted at No.7 mostly owing to knee problems, scoring 161 runs with a strike rate of more than 220 in 14 games. Dhoni hit 14 boundaries and 13 maximums while being removed just three times in 13 innings.
With the Mega Auction slated for later this year, Dhoni’s future in the IPL remains uncertain.
The great finisher almost repeated one of his spectacular performances in the RCB match, striking a 13-ball 25 before collapsing with CSK requiring 11 off 5 deliveries.