Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni gave many things to cheer for the die-hard yellow army as the franchise returned home to Chepauk on April 3 to face off against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and won the match as well in handsome fashion.

CSK had set LSG a target of 218 runs to chase and despite Kyle Mayers’ brutal half-century at the start and some lusty blows from Nicholas Pooran, LSG only managed 205/7 and lost the match by 12 runs. Moeen Ali picked 4/26 with the ball.

Earlier, CSK was asked to bat first by LSG captain KL Rahul who had won the toss. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (57 in 31) and Devon Conway (47 in 29) added 110 runs in 9.1 overs and though LSG made a slight comeback in the middle overs, but CSK ended up with 217/7 in 20 overs.

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They reached that intimidating score thanks to a 3-ball 12-run knock by skipper MS Dhoni as he slammed Mark Wood for two consecutive sixes. This was his first match in the Chepauk for four years and the crowd in the stadium went nuts as he sent the ball into orbit.

This MS Dhoni magic also helped the veteran cricketer break the IPL 2023 viewership records as 1.7 crore viewers watched his knock on Jio Cinema - IPL's digital broadcasters. The previous record was 1.6 crore, which was also held by MS Dhoni in the first match of the season in Ahmedabad.

Chennai will next face Mumbai Indians in a blockbuster clash in Wankhede on April 8.