IPL 2018: We Need to be Mentally Prepared - MS Dhoni

While MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings sealed a playoff berth, hosts Delhi Daredevils had nothing to lose. However, the end result was different as Delhi beat Chennai by 34 runs at Feroz Shah Kotla.

The visitors struck early, as Deepak Chahar got the big wicket of Prithvi Shaw. Two of their most reliable batsmen, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer constructed the foundation with a fifty-plus partnership.

Iyer was bowled by Lungi Ngidi while Pant was caught by Dwayne Bravo for 38 off 26 balls. A handy 36 off 28 balls from Vijay Shankar and a quick-fire 36 off 16 balls from Harshal Patel took their side to 162/5 in their 20 overs.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bagged a wicket and conceded just 19 runs, but it was Bravo’s last over went for 26 runs; that set the tempo for Delhi.

At the toss, Dhoni stressed on the dimensions of the field and how it is important to win the tie.

“It’s a difficult ground to contain, it’s not very big and also there’s a chance of the surface deteriorating,” said MS Dhoni after winning the toss.

“We’ve qualified for the knockouts, but it’s important to keep improving and keep fit. We don’t want a scenario where one of our big players isn’t fit for a crucial game,” he added.

Dhoni on the defeat

Post the 34-run defeat, CSK skipper, MS Dhoni said the batsmen failed to connect the ball, as the wicket got slower. He doesn’t want his side to be complacent and added it is wise not to look at the points table.

“Wicket got more difficult in the second half. Nobody was middling it; the bowlers bowled well. Difficult to predict how this pitch will behave. You have to be very practical about why something went wrong. We know the reasons. It’s important not to look at the points table. The middle order can also get a partnership.” he said.

Dhoni urged his men to be mentally prepared for the upcoming challenges.

“Anyone can get an opportunity. Need to be mentally prepared, more than physical. You can give 100 different plans to the bowlers, but sometimes you have to shuffle the bowlers.” he said.