Former skipper MS Dhoni managed to pull off an incredible last-ball victory for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their IPL 2022 encounter against Mumbai Indians (MI) at DY Patil Stadium on Thursday (April 21).
Chasing 156 to win, CSK needed 17 off the last over and the 40-year-old turned back the clock to seal the deal for his side on the final delivery while facing Jaydev Unadkat.
Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on 28 off 13 balls, batted like his peak days. He was off strike on the first two deliveries and then smashed Unadkat for a six, four, a couple and another boundary to take CSK over the line.
For holding his nerves in the pressure situation, Dhoni received rich praise from all quarters and the legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar also paid tribute to the former CSK captain.
During the post-match programme on Star Sports, Gavaskar bowed to MS Dhoni as a mark of respect and held his pose for quite some time.
"At that particular situation, under so much pressure, only MS Dhoni could have done it. Not for a second, did he think that he was not going to be able to do it. It's amazing how takes the game right to the end. He makes the bowler bowl to what he wants," Gavaskar said.
While CSK fans enjoyed the team’s victory thanks to Dhoni’s heroics, MI fans were left disappointed as the five-time champions became the first franchise to lose their first seven matches.
Sunil Gavaskar also weighed in on MI’s yet another loss, saying the Rohit Sharma-led side "will be down in the dumps."
"They will be down in the dumps. They are a champions team, they have won this trophy five times. So, obviously they will all be very upset," Gavaskar said.
According to the former India opener, Mumbai Indians are now out of the playoffs reckoning.
"To lose seven in a row, means that they are out of the tournament, really. With this kind of record what are they going to do in the next seven. They will have to play out of this world cricket to win the next seven. And their confident seems low."
