MS Dhoni was at his vintage best as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took a substantial lead in the points table, as they beat Delhi Daredevils (DD) by 13 runs in a high-scoring encounter at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
As a result, CSK extended their lead at the top with six wins from eight games.
Meanwhile, batting first, the home team posted a staggering 211 runs on the board. The opening duo of Shane Watson (78) and Faf du Plessis (33) set the perfect tone for the home team.
MS Dhoni (51*) and Ambati Rayadu (41) then joined the party to take the score over 200.
However, in reply, Delhi lost Prithvi Shaw early to KM Asif. Moreover, debutant Asif removed Colin Munro shortly, who was looking dangerous. Rishabh Pant, however, gave a valiant effort scoring 79 runs off 45 deliveries but went in vain. They once again suffered, as their overseas recruits failed to make useful contributions.
The Super Kings bowlers did an outstanding job of containing runs in the middle-overs and tightening things up, as restricted Delhi for 198 runs.
Twitter hails MS Dhoni
Dhoni came to bat in the 14th over after the departure of Watson. He launched an attack right from the word go to take the game out of Delhi’s hand.
He hit Boult for two sixes and one four to change the course of the game. Although he got a chance, he made it count to full effect.
Moreover, he powered a 108-meter six over deep square-leg. Meanwhile, this is the second biggest hit in this season after AB de Villiers’ 111 meters.
He reached his third fifty of the tournament in the last ball of the innings as he ran two from Trent Boult.
Here is how the Twitter reacts:
The king @msdhoni is back as the best finisher in the game ….. #Fact #IPL2018
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 30, 2018
MSD: Master of serious destruction. I rest my case!!! @msdhoni #CSKvDD #IPL2018 @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/YnKdb6Sl22
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) April 30, 2018
CSK all the way!! ⭐⭐⭐Brilliant innings by @ShaneRWatson33 @msdhoni @RayuduAmbati and @NgidiLungi ! @ChennaiIpl?? march on! #CSKvsDD
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 30, 2018
#CSKvDD: Shane Watson and MS Dhoni blew away the Delhi Daredevils bowlers and clinched another win for #CSK. #DD remain bottom of the pile. #AakashVani #Review #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/QLnAWRj6LW
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 1, 2018
I know we are just halfway through this years IPL but isn't it true that @msdhoni is having one of the best seasons in the IPL. Is this his Best so far? #CSKvsDD
— Stay Home – Stay Safe – Get Vaccinated ? (@hemangkbadani) April 30, 2018
The king @msdhoni is back as the best finisher in the game ….. #Fact #IPL2018
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChaharDeepak9/status/991019193318305792
This is MS Dhoni from a decade ago. Insanity! ??? #CSKvDD
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 30, 2018
Different ways and adjectives to describe @msdhoni batting today – I would say he’s batting like the Mahi of 2006-08 #CSKvDD
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 30, 2018
MS Dhoni 50 in 22 balls – his 2nd quickest in #IPL
Fastest: 20 balls for #CSK v #MI at Bangalore in 2012#IPL2018#CSKvDD— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 30, 2018
Well Done @ChennaiIPL on the consistent performance this season so far. Always a great sight watching @msdhoni in full flow. Well batted @ShaneRWatson33 & @RishabPant777 #CSKvDD
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) April 30, 2018
MS in MS Dhoni stands for Marvelous Shots.#CSKvsDD
— Icecream Baba (@vichupedia) April 30, 2018