Picture Credit: X/IPL
Fo rmer Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a short yet powerful knock of 20 runs off four balls in the Mumbai Indians game. CSK clashed against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the 29th match of the IPL 2024 on April 14, Sunday, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Home favourites skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. The five-time winners started off on a favourable note, which was later powered by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 69 off 40 deliveries.
MS Dhoni, who walked out after Daryl Mitchell returned to the pavilion, put on a short but memorable show for the fans. The 42-year-old cricketer who handed over the captaincy to young batter Gaikwad on the eve of the IPL 2024, played a fiery knock of 20 runs off four deliveries. Dhoni hit three back-to-back sixes off MI skipper Hardik Pandya’s deliveries and guided the side’s score beyond the 200-run mark alongside Shivam Dube.
Watch Dhoni's blistering knock here:
With Dhoni’s cameo, CSK were able to score 26 runs in the last over and posted 206 runs on the scoreboard. Shivam Dube scored a crucial 66* off 38 deliveries. On the other hand, while Mumbai seemed to have surrendered to CSK’s roaring batting prowess, Gerald Coetzee scalped one wicket in the beginning. After CSK’s innings, Coetzee spoke about being in the same team as Jasprit Bumrah and hailed him the best.
In the innings-break interview, Coetzee said, "The pitch gets better as the night gets on because of dew. That's what happened in the last game. Very beneficial (to be alongside Bumrah). He (Bumrah) is probably the best in the world in this format, so learn from him. I'm loving it (the IPL). Great conditions here for cricket and you need to be at your best.”