Glad We Scored 180, I Thought We Could Have Got More: MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni marshalled his troops brilliantly as they gunned down the Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai by 45 runs. MS Dhoni managed his spinners exceptionally well to trigger a middle-order collapse from which the Royals could not recover. The 39-year old felt that 188 was an imposing total, but thought that they could have got more.

After electing to bowl first, Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack kept striking frequently as Chennai Super Kings’ batsmen got starts but could not convert to big scores. The likes of Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, and MS Dhoni all showed flashes of brilliance; however, they failed to kick on. But some late hitting carried them to 188. The Royals’ left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya shone, grabbing figures of 4-0-36-3.

Jos Buttler and Manan Vohra responded positively to the steep chase before the latter and captain Sanju Samson departed briefly. Ravindra Jadeja broke the 42-run stand between Buttler and Shivam Dube by rattling the England keeper-batsman’s stumps in the 12th over for 49 off 35 balls. In the same over, the left-arm spinner removed Dube, followed by Moeen Ali dismissing David Miller, Riyan Parag and Chris Morris. It left the Royals reeling at 105-7 and the rest were mere formalities before cruising to a 45-run win.

I always look at what’s the best to do at any point of time: MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni conceded that he always looks to do what feels best according to the situation so the batsmen are forced to make mistakes. The 39-year old remarked that with the wicket becoming more sticky, Moeen Ali was an excellent prospect and thought that 180 was a daunting score to chase. The three-time IPL trophy winner highlighted that their preparations have changed and the bowlers have got used to the conditions after being under pressure. MS Dhoni concluded that he keeps himself in line with the youngsters and tries adapting to their speeds, all of which are challenging.

“I always look at what’s the best to do at any point of time. When you keep doing it, they’re always under the pump [the same bowlers in the powerplay]. Deepak there was a bit of miscalculation with the knuckle delivery. So I felt a good start was important. Even the wet ball was spinning. I don’t really mind Jos playing reverse sweep. If the wet ball was turning then the chance of the dry ball turning is high. It was good to have Moeen, it was turning a bit. The wicket became a bit more sticky. Glad we scored 180, I thought we could have got more. The first six balls I played could have cost us in another game. A lot has changed. The way we have prepared, the way we have turned down. The bowlers have been under the pump last year also, so they’re used to the conditions. Getting old and being fit – those are two difficult things! When you’re playing you don’t want anyone to call you unfit. I have to keep up with youngsters guys, they run a lot, but it’s always challenging,” Dhoni told in the post-match presentation.

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