IPL 2018: Mahendra Singh Dhoni - the Real Universe Boss, Rayudu Mr Iceman - Hayden

Published - 26 Apr 2018, 02:08 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:36 AM

Credits: BCCI

As they say, you cannot write off champions. At the age of 36, Mahendra Singh Dhoni proved why he is still one of the best finishers in the game. He did it again on Wednesday (April 25) night in Bengaluru.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Dhoni produced a spectacular performance. It eventually helped Chennai continue their terrific run in the ongoing eleventh edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) so far. Dhoni’s knock of 70 came in just 34 deliveries which were studded with a solitary four and seven massive sixes.

After batting first, Bangalore posted a mammoth 204 on the board in their allotted 20 overs. Mr 360 AB de Villiers was at his imperious best and smashed the CSK bowlers all around the park during his 68 of 30 deliveries.

However, his innings didn’t prove to be enough in the end as Chennai coasted home in 19.4 overs.

Dhoni came into the crease with the Chennai score reading 74 for four. They needed a partnership badly and it was exactly what Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu did at that stage.

Dhoni began with a six of Pawan Negi in the second delivery of the innings. Corey Anderson wasn’t spared either as a length delivery from the left-arm pacer went sailing over the fence for a huge six.

Also Read: IPL 2018: Virender Sehwag in Awe of MS Dhoni Following His Match-Winning Knock Against RCB

Dhoni smashes it big-

Negi was again at the receiving end of Dhoni’s exceptional strokeplay. The first two deliveries of the next over went sailing over the boundary ropes for big sixes.

The calm and composed Dhoni made sure that Chennai never shy away in the chase. Rayudu, on the other hand, played a beautiful hand. He was run out for the third time in the tournament after making 81.

Dhoni was joined by Bravo with 30 required of the final two. Mohammed Siraj conceded 14 runs in the penultimate over which included three wides and an unbelievable sliced six.

With 16 required of the final over, Virat Kohli handed over the ball to Corey Anderson. Bravo smashed a four and six to begin the over.

Interestingly, in the end, it was a huge six over the deep mid-wicket region from Mahendra Singh Dhoni which handed CSK a five-wicket victory and with a couple of deliveries to spare.

Hayden urges CSK to let him sleep:

Former Super Kings batsman Matthew Hayden was super excited following his former franchise’s victory.

Taking to his Twitter handle Hayden wrote, “Oh my God….please let me sleep why did you have to make @ChennaiIPL so awesome, @msdhoni the real universe boss and @RayuduAmbati Mr Iceman you have me so excited for the rest of this years @IPL I can’t sleep #WhistlePodu #unbelievable @StarSportsIndia.”

Also Read: IPL 2018, Match 24, RCB v CSK: Dhoni Special Wins it for Chennai

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