Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni conceded that it was impossible to defend the total of 97 after his team suffered a five-wicket thrashing at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday (May 12).
It was an important match for CSK to remain in the contention for the IPL 2022 playoffs but the defending champions failed to rise to the occasion, getting bowled out in just 16 overs with no batter even touching the 40-run mark.
Defending the paltry total, CSK pacers Mukesh Choudhary (3-23) and Simarjeet Singh (1-22) produced stunning spells but they couldn’t stop MI to chase down the target in 14.5 overs.
Speaking after the game, Dhoni also praised the fast bowling duo for showing a lot of character.
“Irrespective of how the wicket is, anything below 130 is difficult to defend, but what I asked the bowlers was to show a lot of character and forget about the result. Both the young fast bowlers bowled really well and I feel a game like this really helps them in believing in themselves that irrespective of the conditions, whenever we start we need to have the same kind of attitude and that's what is needed in the shortest format,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“We have gone through periods where we never really had that extraordinary bench of fast bowlers. Also fast bowlers they take their time to mature, if you are lucky you get somebody who can feature in all formats in six months time and that is what IPL is doing and it is an opportunity for a lot of them. They bowl a bit courageous now which is very important in a format like this. And some players take their time before executing their plans better. The fast bowlers to have both of them really well is a big positive, and also we will have two more fast bowlers coming in to the next season, also we have few more up the sleeves, just want to give ample time for them to prepare,” he added.
Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Ishan Kishan in the first over of MI’s innings and then removed Daniel Sams and Tristan Stubbs in his third over while Simarjeet Singh got rid of Rohit Sharma.
“It's the first few deliveries which is important when you are batting in that kind of pressure, so it was a chance of survival. Once they are past those first few deliveries, they can be themselves. It didn't pay off today but I think they bowled really well,” the CSK captain said.
MS Dhoni rued the batting effort of his side, saying the batters needed to show more application.
“A bit of application was needed from our side, and a few of the batters got out on good deliveries, hopefully they are learning with each and every game,” he concluded.
(With Cricbuzz inputs)
