MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni (Image Credit: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni got nostalgic while recounting his 14-year-old journey with the franchise after he ended up on the winning side in his 200th game for the Chennai-based franchise.

While recounting the memories of playing for CSK, MS Dhoni said that he and his team is relishing playing on the Wankhede pitch that offers a bit of everything to both pacers and seamers unlike the home track at the Chepauk.

MS Dhoni Lauds Wankhede Pitch After CSK's Six-Wicket Win Over PBKS
Deepak Chahar claimed 4/13 [Image-IPLT20]
His bowlers, especially Deepak Chahar certainly enjoyed bowling in Mumbai on Friday as he made brilliant use of the movement on offer to knock over Punjab Kings’ top-order and in the process register his career-best spell of 4/13 in four overs, which included as many as 18 dot balls.

Chahar gave CSK the most perfect start that MS Dhoni would have imagined as he dismissed Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in his first two overs.

When asked about why he chose to continue bowling with Deepak Chahar, Dhoni said that with the ball moving around a lot and Chahar bowling the way he was, he wanted to keep attacking with his premium seamer.

”Makes me feel very old (on playing his 200th game for CSK). Feels very good. Been a very long journey. Different conditions, a very interesting journey. I think 2011 was the last time we were very happy with the Chennai wicket. After that however hard the groundsmen tried we were not happy with the wicket. Especially after relaying the ball doesn’t come on to the bat nicely. Here we have a very good pitch,” said MS Dhoni after CSK’s six-wicket win over Punjab Kings.

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”Movement off the seam, bounce, and runs. Chahar is somebody who has developed at a death overs bowler too. As a bowling unit we have more resources. I was looking to attack, so bowled his four overs and it helps in becoming fit because to bowl 4 successive overs you need to be fit,” he added.

MS Dhoni, CSK
Moeen Ali was in great touch [Image-IPLT20]
Moeen Ali has been relishing in his role at the No.3 spot. After playing a whirlwind knock in the first game against DC, Ali unleashed another knock glittered with sumptuous strokeplay.

Ali smashed a 31-ball 46 before he holed out at deep midwicket. When asked about the thought process behind batting Moeen Ali at No.3, MS Dhoni said that he wants to optimize the resources at his disposal.

”We wanted Moeen to bat high because we wanted to make the best use of resources we have,” said MS Dhoni.

Dhoni also opened up about the reason behind him nodding in disapproval when  Deepak Chahar made an animated appeal when he hit Shahrukh Khan’s pads with a fullish delivery. Dhoni reckoned that it was going too high for his liking besides adding that DRS should be used only for howlers and not for a 50-50 decision.

”I thought the LBW shout (against SRK) was high. So told him no we are not reviewing. I have always felt DRS is there to take the howlers away and not just to take a chance,” added Dhoni.

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Thanks to their six-wicket-win, CSK have gained their maiden points in IPL 2021 and they will now lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai on April 19.

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