CSK batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a shot during the IPL 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, in Visakhapatnam, Sunday. (PTI Photo)Mahendra Singh Dhoni fans finally had something to cheer on Sunday as the Chennai Super Kings talisman finally batted for the first time in IPL 2024. Not just that, Dhoni managed to slap the final ball of CSK’s innings with a six, almost turning back the clock, much to the glee of the fans at Visakhapatnam.
However, there was heartbreak for Chennai after they fell short by 20 runs against Delhi Capitals. Dhoni ended the night unbeaten with 37 runs off 16 balls.
With CSK needing 41 runs from the final over, bowled by Anrich Nortje, Dhoni plundered 20 runs, smashed two sixes and two boundaries.
Batting first, Delhi Capitals scored 191 runs, thanks to Rishabh Pant (51) and David Warner (53) slamming half centuries and Prithvi Shaw contributing with a 43-run knock.
Vintage Dhoni 👌#TATAIPL fans were treated to some strong hitting by MS Dhoni
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#DCvCSK | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/eF4JsOwmsa
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2024
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Remarkably, this fate of the game was predicted by Michael Hussey, Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach, before the game.
“My prediction for the last over of the match is that MS Dhoni will be batting. The crowd will be roaring and MSD will hit a six to finish the match,” Hussey had said in a recent video uploaded by IPL on their social media.
Dhoni, who stepped down from his captaincy role and was succeeded by Ruturaj Gaikwad, had not had the chance to bat before Sunday. While CSK won their first game by only losing four wickets in a chase against RCB, despite losing as many as six in their last game against Gujarat, Dhoni didn’t bat.
After the game in Chennai earlier this week, Hussey had said, “I think we were all expecting MSD to come out and play those last sort of a few balls. But they realised that he [Sameer Rizvi] has got some natural power against spin and that is why they wanted to send the youngster out. And, you know, he delivered two sixes at the end, which was great for his confidence.”
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