Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni issued a stern warning to his fast bowlers after their nervy 12-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday (April 3).  

Dhoni warned the CSK pacers to stop bowling no-balls and wides or play under a new captain. The skipper was left disappointed as the duo of Deepak Chahar (0/55) and Tushar Deshpande (2/45), who came in for Ambati Rayudu as Impact Player, bowled three wides and two no-balls.

Poor spells from Chahar, Deshpande and Ben Stokes (1-0-18-0) didn't help CSK's cause, with LSG posting 205/7 on the board in the chase of 218.

“Terrific high-scoring game. All of us were thinking how the wicket would be. It was the perfect first game that could happen. I thought it would be much slower. But it was a wicket where you could score runs. I was quite surprised with the wicket. But we'll have to see if we can produce a wicket like this game after game,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Fast bowling we need to slightly improve. Need to bowl according to the conditions. What is important is to keep an eye as to what the opposition bowlers are doing. One more thing is they'll have to bowl no no-balls or extra wides. Or they'll have to play under a new captain. It will be my second warning and then I'll be off. Only reason we've scored those runs is if the surface is nice,” he added.

Earlier, CSK piled up a mammoth 217/7 on the board. Ruturaj Gaikwad top scored with 57 off 31 balls while his opening partner Devon Conway made 47 in 29 balls. Ambati Rayudu (27* off 14) and Shivam Dube (27 off 16) also chipped in with handy contributions.

With the ball, off-spinner Moeen Ali starred for the Super Kings, returning with the figures of 4 for 26 from his four overs.

Chennai Super Kings will take on Mumbai Indians in their next match on April 8 at the Wankhede Stadium.