Picture Credit: IPL
MS Dhoni is like a fine wine who just gets better with time. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper proved this once again on Sunday with his brilliant fielding effort. He affected a brilliant run out to dismiss Punjab Kings' Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the second over of the match. The batter tried to steal a run by punching the ball towards the bowler. Shikhar Dhawan, who was at the other end, did not respond positively. But still, Rajapaksa kept running.
Chris Jordan, however, was quick to pick up the ball and throw it toward the wicketkeeper. It could have been a waste had Dhoni stayed at his place and waited for the ball to hit the stumps directly. But the veteran wicketkeeper showed the brilliant presence of mind to run towards the stumps and catch the ball on the bounce and then throw it at the stumps.
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Livingstone saves Punjab
On the back of this fielding heroic from MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were looking to build the pressure further on Dhawan and the other batsmen. But Liam Livingston had some other plans. The swashbuckling batter took the charge right after he walked out to the crease. He started his innings with an audacious flick, but the shot was stopped by Dwaine Pretorious denying Livingston a boundary. Nonetheless, the batter continued with his intent to attack.
It started with a six and a four in Mukesh Choudhary's second over of the spell. The batter did not step back from there on as he kept smashing every bowler who came his way. In no time, he raced to 38* off just 15 balls. This quick assault from Livingston released the pressure off Dhawan and the experienced batter also hit a few boundaries inside the powerplay. The two batters helped Punjab score 72 runs in the first six overs despite losing two quick wickets.