Rajasthan Royals (RR) pulled off a thrilling three-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 17 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday (April 12).

Needing 21 from the last over, Dhoni smashed two sixes in the first three balls of Sandeep Sharma, but was not able to hit a boundary or six in the final ball of the over when the hosts required 5 off the last delivery.

After the game, Sandeep interacted with teammate Yuzvendra Chahal and the right-arm pacer decoded each ball of the last over.

“It’s confidence boosting to bowl against him (MS Dhoni) and win a match,” said Sandeep in a video posted on IPL’s official website.

“The wicket was slow, our spinners had done well so I thought I’ll try a slower bouncer and it went for a wide so there weren’t many options available,” Sandeep revealed his plan for the first ball.

“I tried a yorker for the next ball and again it was a wide ball. I backed myself and bowled a heel yorker to the larger side. Two balls were sent away for two sixes and then I realised I should change the angle on the next ball. So for the next ball, I tried to change the length and the angle and it worked for me,” he added.

On the fourth ball, Dhoni took a single while Ravindra Jadeja hit a run on the penultimate ball, giving the CSK skipper strike for the final delivery.

However, Sandeep Sharma held his nerves amid the pressure situation and produced a stunning yorker to seal the deal for the Royals.

“For the last ball, I backed myself for a yorker. I was bowling good yorkers in the nets so I thought to shut down the over with a yorker,” Sandeep said.

Rajasthan Royals’ fast bowling coach Lasith Malinga also featured in the video and he was asked by Chahal about Sharma’s bowling in the last over.

“Today, in the evening when you were in bed for a massage, I told you if you feel any pressure, take time, just breathe longer and then deliver,” said Malinga.

To which, Sandeep quipped, “Actually sir I won’t praise you on your face but I have been working with him on yorkers and it’s coming nicely.”

Rajasthan Royals will next face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday (April 16).