India’s head coach Rahul Dravid once said that MS Dhoni plays as if the result does not matter to him. Dhoni’s ability to detach himself from the result is well known and it makes him the captain he is. Once again, Dhoni was right on the money as a leader as CSK defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Monday.
CSK posted an above-par score of 226 runs on the board after Faf du Plessis decided to put them into bat. Devon Conway led the charge at the top of the order as he scored 83 runs from 45 balls with the help of six fours and as many sixes.
Ajinkya Rahane continued to impress in the PowerPlay overs as he scored a free-flowing knock of 37 runs from 20 balls. Shivam Dube, who was backed to play at number four, also launched some lusty blows into the stands. The lanky left-hander scored 52 runs from 27 balls to help his team go past the 200-run mark.
Dhoni showered praise on Dube and feels he certainly has the talent to succeed at the top level.
Dhoni said in the post-match presentation, “Dube is someone who can hit very cleanly. He has an issue with the fast bowlers but he’s a clean hitter against the spinners. We had certain plans for him but once he arrived for our camp, he was injured. So we couldn’t do a lot of work. We feel that he’s somebody who can deliver and who can get those extra runs in the middle overs. He needs to believe in that more than us. We know he has the talent, but once you cross the boundary ropes into the field you are on your own.”
The veteran added that he tries to assess the situations and respond accordingly to get the best out of his players. Dhoni also shed light on the team’s young fast bowlers and their death bowling woes.
He said, “I keep assessing from behind the wicket, I am always involved in what needs to be done rather than thinking about the result. (Death overs) It is a difficult one for the youngsters, specially at this time of the year with the dew around. But they are working hard. Bravo is one of the specialists. Under him, the bowlers will gain confidence. It’s a team game. The coach, the bowling coach, and the senior players guide them.”
Chennai was able to post a gargantuan score and their bowlers did well to hold their nerves at the end against RCB. The four-time champions will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday.
