Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni
Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni. Image: BCCI

Former Indian pace bowler RP Singh credited Chennai Super Kings (CSK) iconic player MS Dhoni for guiding Shivam Dube in the middle of the innings. The Ravindra Jadeja-led CSK lost their third game in a row against Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 54 runs after failing to chase 180 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

CSK vs PBKS: Punjab Kings beat CSK by 54 runs in IPL 2022

In a trend where teams are winning by chasing the target in IPL 2022, this was the third game in a row that a side won while defending the total. PBKS bowled out CSK for a paltry score of 126 in 18 overs.

Debutant Vaibhav Arora claimed figures of 2 for 21 as Chennai Super Kings tumbled to 23 for 4 inside the powerplay overs. The 24-year-old youngster got the wickets of Robin Uthappa and Moeen Ali for a duck to give Punjab a great start.

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada bowled a fuller length delivery wide outside off-stump that Gaikwad pushed very hard without any feet moment and found a thick outside edge that flew to Shikhar Dhawan at first slip.

CSK vs PBKS IPL 2022
Photo Credit: (IPL)

Anything is possible when MS Dhoni is at the crease: RP Singh

Despite Shivam Dube’s brisk half-century, CSK were way far from their target, wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni contributed 23 in 28 balls but couldn’t replicate his good form to rescue his side from a precarious situation. Dube scored 57 in 30 balls, including six fours and three sixes, at an impressive strike rate of 190.

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RP Singh, who was the leading wicket-taker of IPL 2009, said Dube played fearless cricket under Dhoni’s watch.

Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni
Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni. Image: BCCI

“Anything is possible when MS Dhoni is at the crease. We have seen in the past how he has won such matches for his side. But in this game, CSK’s top-order batters were dismissed early.

“Shivam Dube played fearlessly. He was able to form an important partnership in the middle because he had someone like MS Dhoni at the other end,” RP Singh told Cricbuzz. 

CSK will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their next fixture on April 9 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Also Read: CSK vs PBKS: “They Are A Team That Can Beat The Best Teams,” Aakash Chopra Says On Punjab Kings