Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The contest between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals was undoubtedly a roller-coaster one. While the Yellow Army looked ahead at times, it were the Men in Pink who looked in a much better situation during various stages of the match. These are usually the kind of matches which are decided by few moments of brilliance on the field. Whether an outstanding catch or an expensive over, anything can change a cricket contest.
However, we saw a completely different case during match no. 12. It was not an effort on the field but a captaincy masterstroke that became the decisive moment of the match. And it was none other than the best readers of the game, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was at the middle of all the action.
MS Dhoni displays his captaincy masterclass on Tuesday
Chasing a target of 189 in Mumbai, Rajasthan Royals were cruising with Jos Buttler in top form. The England opener was smashing the bowlers all over the park. The right-handed batsman targeted Ravindra Jadeja and hit him for a huge six over mid-wicket. The ball had to be changed after that ball, something which MSD closely observed standing behind the stumps. Considering the fact that the old ball had become wet because of dew on the outfield, the new ball was a lot drier. As soon as Jadeja got set to bowl again, captain cool said, "Sukha Ball hai, ghumega."
While Bravo bowled the next over, it was expected that Dhoni might bring on another pacer at the other end since Jadeja had conceded 22 runs in first 2 overs. But, the 39-year-old was well aware that the drier ball is going to help Jadeja as he handed him the ball once again. CSK skipper was certainly right with his reading of the game. The first ball of Jadeja's over turned sharply and it castled the stumps, leaving Buttler absolutely clueless. The celebrations from Dhoni behind the stumps just summed up the whole planning done behind the most crucial wicket for the Yellow Army.
Watch Buttler's wicket here:
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With the all-rounder certainly getting more assistance as predicted by Dhoni, he took another wicket and dismissed Shivam Dube. Using his captaincy brains, CSK skipper introduced another spinner at the other end in the form of Moeen Ali. The move again paid off as the off-spinner took three wickets inflicting a major RR collapse. With the series of events on Tuesday, it was again proved why Thala is known to have one of the best minds in this game.