Mahendra Singh Dhoni enthralled the capacity crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (Apr 14) by smashing a hattrick of sixes in the 20th over to guide Chennai Super Kings (CSK) past the 200-run mark. Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya bowled the pivotal over but could not stop Dhoni from using his long levers to turn back the clock.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Dhoni walked out to bat in the final over after Daryl Mitchell played an attritional 14-ball 17-run innings before holing out at long on to Mohammad Nabi. Dhoni, who has only faced a handful of deliveries throughout the tournament, deposited the first ball over long off for a massive six.
ALSO READ | IPL 2024: Shimron Hetmyer helps clinch thriller as Rajasthan Royals return to winning ways against PBKS
The very next ball, Pandya delivered another length one in the arc and Dhoni, using his strong bottom hand, tonked it flat over midwicket. The third delivery was a loosener on the pads and Dhoni merely guided it over the long leg fence to collect his third maximum of the night. The last ball yielded a couple and Dhoni signed off with a four-ball 20-run cameo.
Fans immediately went ballistic and started waxing lyrical about the Dhoni special.
“Thala forever” said one user, while another commented: “That was Mayhem Singh Dhoni in full flow at the Wankhede. No better sights in world cricket than Dhoni hitting ’em big.”
A third added: “I don’t think there’ll ever be anyone like MS DHONI. Statistically and by records? Surely yes. But there’ll NEVER be an another HIM.”
CSK put in to bat
Pandya won the toss and opted to field first. CSK surprised everyone by promoting Ajinkya Rahane up the order to open the innings instead of Ruturaj Gaikwad.
However, the ploy did not work as Rahane failed to break free and departed in the second over. Rachin Ravindra’s poor form with the bat continued and he fell after toe-edging one of the deliveries from Shreyas Gopal. A shrewd review from Ishan Kishan and Pandya allowed MI to claw their nails in the game further.
Just when it looked like CSK would struggle to power through, Gaikwad (69) took the onus upon himself and started to cart MI bowlers to all parts of the Wankhede. He found an ideal foil in Shivam Dube (66*) who murdered anything dropped in his arc.
You can now write for Baazigarnews.com and be a part of the Baazigar family. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
