IPL 2018: IPL 2018: Sir Viv Richards Admits MS Dhoni is the Player to Watch Out for

Former Windies legend Sir Viv Richards has showered heaps of praise on Chennai Super Kings‘ (CSK) skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the latter played a vintage knock of 70 runs off 34 deliveries – to see his team through against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru.

Ambati Rayadu and Dhoni’s massive partnership saw Chennai chase down a massive target of 205 runs. While writing his column in TOI, Richards marvelled at what he saw transpiring in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Chennai has been outstanding since their return to the domestic professional Twenty20 league. They are currently at the top of the league with five wins from six games.

Richard awestruck by Dhoni:

Richards lauds Dhoni admitting that he was at his imperious best. The stalwart also admitted that the former India captain is the player to watch out for in the cash-rich league.

“Dhoni was back to his best with the bat again, carrying the entire hope of his team and the fans on his shoulder in the final overs of the game. He and Ambati (Rayudu) played brilliantly to set the tone for the chase, which would have even inspired DJ (Bravo) to have the belief when he walked in. The Chennai skipper, unlike his Mohali entry, started instantly in Bangalore, which was a sign that he is still the player to watch out for, despite the criticisms he has recently received,” wrote Richards.

Meanwhile, RCB and CSK struck 33 sixes in a thrilling tie at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.

Richards added it was a brilliant contest with two of the best teams squaring off against each other.

Chennai didn’t succumb to pressure:

The game shifted from one end to the other with every ball as the home team took the early control. Virat Kohli-led RCB removed two players in quick succession but that didn’t turn enough for them.

However, Sir Viv Richards credited Chennai for not breaking down in pressure.

“Interestingly, the home team pulled the momentum to their side even further dismissing Chennai’s explosive top order batting within nine overs into the second innings. Yuzvendra Chahal and Umesh Yadav were accurate enough to cut down the run-flow and pick wickets simultaneously making it even harder for the chasing team to catch up with the required rate. But credit to Chennai for not succumbing to the pressure and holding the nerves,” he concluded.

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