Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni wanted to contribute to the win against Delhi Capitals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Dhoni, who wasn’t in the best of forms, coming into the Qualifier rolled back the years as he smashed a little cameo of 6-ball 18 to take his team over the line in a run-chase of 173 runs.
Dhoni came to the crease when CSK had lost wickets in a cluster and were on the back foot. 24 runs were needed off the final two overs and Dhoni was able to take 11 runs off the penultimate over which was bowled by Avesh Khan. 13 runs were required off the final over and Dhoni was able to get two boundaries off the two balls to reduce the equation to five off three after Moeen Ali was dismissed on the first ball.
Dhoni once again kept his cool in the tough situation as usual and got his team over the line. Meanwhile, earlier Dhoni had failed to get going in the season however he stepped when it mattered the most in a big game. Thus, Dhoni took CSK into their ninth IPL final and they are one win away from their fourth title.
MS Dhoni said in the post-match presentation, “It was a crucial innings. They were using the bigger boundary very well. Nothing special, just watch the ball and hit the ball. I haven’t done a lot in the tournament. So you want to get that out of the system. If you are batting well in the nets, just look for the ball, what are the variations, where the bowler could bowl. Other than that there was nothing much in the mind. If there are too many things floating around, it becomes difficult to watch the ball”.
On the other hand, Dhoni also heaped praise on Ruturaj Gaikwad, who continued his rich form in the tournament. Gaikwad became the third CSK player to complete 600 runs in an IPL edition after Michael Hussey and Ambati Rayudu. The youngster played a match-winning knock of 70 runs off just 50 balls and got his team close to the target. Gaikwad was thus awarded the Player of the match.
Dhoni added, “Whenever we have a chat, it’s always plain and simple. It’s about what is going on and what he is thinking because it very important to understand how well he has improved over the years. And also his game plan, He is somebody who is willing to bat 20 overs. I had a conversation with him (Ruturaj) after one of the games.
If you are opener and having a good start, there is nothing that says you have to bat only 10 or 12 overs, why can’t you bat 18, 19 or 20 overs. Right after that he batted 20 overs, which means he is very eager to learn and he is somebody who plays authentic shots. He has done very well for himself, he is a good talent”.
