Last Update on: October 1st, 2021 at 04:08 pm
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) spinner Rashid Khan was the recipient of an autographed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey from none other than the CSK skipper, MS Dhoni, himself following their game in Sharjah on Thursday.
CSK won the encounter by 6 wickets; with this victory, CSK also assured themselves a playoff berth, acquiring 18 points, while eliminating SRH from the competition.
After the game, Rashid Khan was gifted a jersey from MS Dhoni, who finished off the run-chase with a gigantic six in the last over. The Afghanistan leg-spinner was elated with this gesture of the 2-time World Cup winning skipper.
Khan has taken 14 wickets in 11 games in IPL 2021, at a terrific economy of 6.20. However, the rest of SRH players haven’t been consistent and the team is the first franchise to be out of the playoff race this season.
Last time, we said we wanted to come back strong: MS Dhoni
CSK became the first team to qualifying for the playoffs this season, and this “means a lot” for MS Dhoni and his side after enduring a difficult season last year, when they failed to finish in the top four for the first time in their IPL history.
He asserted “a lot didn’t go our way” last season, but they have been almost indomitable this year, over the two legs, winning 9 out of 11 games. He credited the players and the support staff for this strong comeback, and also for keeping up their momentum from the first half to the second half of the tournament this year.
“It means a lot, because the last time, we said we wanted to come back strong. We are known for that and there was a lot at stake. You won’t always win games and a lot didn’t go our way last time, and it’s important not to make excuses and we have done that this year. The boys did well to keep the momentum going, and they’ve taken responsibilities to keep all departments of the game in balance so the players and the support staff get the credit,” MS Dhoni said at the post-match presentation after win vs SRH.
CSK will next take on Rajasthan Royals, who are struggling for playoff qualification with currently 8 points. The game will be held on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
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