'MS Dhoni would have taken CSK to IPL 2024 playoffs if...' - Aakash Chopra shares his bold take

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, reflected on MS Dhoni's significant impact during Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) final league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Dhoni played an impressive knock of 25 runs off 13 balls but failed to take the defending champions CSK to the IPL 2024 playoffs as the RCB defeated the Yellow Army by 27 runs to deny their entry to the final round of the lucrative T20 league at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18.

MS Dhoni's six off Yash Dayal cost CSK the IPL 2024 Playoffs berth?

However, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, kept CSK's hopes alive in their formidable chase of 219 runs against the RCB. Notably, Dhoni smashed the longest six of this season—110 meters—and added two crucial boundaries on the leg side during his cameo.

Although Dhoni’s another try for the giant six off Yash Dayal in the final over cost the legendary cricketer his wicket, the CSK could not score 17 runs off the 20th over to make it to the top four of the ongoing IPL 2024.

After the match, Chopra said that had Dhoni not been dismissed by a back-of-the-hand delivery, he might have led CSK to a thrilling win over RCB and IPL 2024 playoffs. The RCB pacer Dayal successfully defended the 17 runs in the final over, conceding just 11 runs in the final five balls after Dhoni’s wicket to help the hosts qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs.

However, Chopra said that even if Dhoni could not win the game, at least he could help the CSK secure a playoff berth had he batted till the last against the RCB in Bengaluru.

Yash Dayal saved RCB from MS Dhoni: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “MS Dhoni was there along with Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni kept them alive. Maybe this was the last time we saw Dhoni. He hit the longest six of this season - 110 meters. He also hit two fours on the leg side. If MS Dhoni hadn't gotten out to the back-of-the-hand ball, he would have won the game (taken CSK to the playoffs).

From where he started, it didn't seem like winning the game was possible. Not winning, you know I am talking about 201, winning the match was beyond them. Jadeja was hitting sixes off the first ball of every over. However, Yash Dayal bowled well in the last over. Only 17 runs were required. He saved them and RCB won with a decent margin and progressed.”

Chopra also said that CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube was struggling against the RCB, and his bat wasn't hitting the ball at all on Saturday. Ho noted that Dube’s previous poor show didn’t help him get into the groove in this crucial encounter for the CSK, and eventually, he was dismissed for just seven runs off 15 balls against the RCB in Bengaluru.