MS Dhoni was critical of his bowling unit after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost the 41st match of the IPL 2023 to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their backyard in Chennai in a last-over thrilling contest.
CSK batted first after MS Dhoni won the toss and Ruturaj Gaikwad (37) and Devon Conway added 86 runs for the first wicket in 9.4 overs. Moeen Ali scored 10 runs, and Shivam Dube played a fast knock of 28 in 17 balls.
It was Devon Conway who batted throughout the innings and scored his highest IPL score of 92* in 52 balls with 16 fours and 1 six. MS Dhoni took CSK to 200/4 after hitting Sam Curran for two consecutive sixes on the last two balls of the last over.
In reply, Shikhar Dhawan was the first casualty for PBKS as he fell for 28 in 15 balls and then Prabhsimran Singh got out after making 42 in 24 balls with 4 sixes and 2 fours to his name. Atharva Taide fell for 13 runs and Liam Livingstone, who was looking dangerous, fell for 40 in 24 balls after hitting 1 four and 4 sixes.
IPL 2023: WATCH- MS Dhoni smacks two massive sixes in last over to power CSK to 200/4 vs PBKS
The chase was brought back on line by Sam Curran (29) and Jitesh Sharma (21) and then Sikandar Raza (13*) did the needful when 9 runs were needed off the last over, bowled by Matheesha Pathirana.
3 runs were needed off the last ball and Raza lofted Pathirana ‘s slower ball over the square leg and scampered for three runs and won the game for PBKS by 4 wickets in the hand.
Speaking in the post-match chat with commentators, MS Dhoni said: “We need to be prepared as to what is to be done. In the last few overs when we were batting, we could have gotten 10-15 more. Our bowling needed some cushion. The slower one did grip. Our batters have been putting in runs consistently. If I take those one or two bad overs. We know the conditions well. We didn't bowl well. You didn't want to get hit to that side. You need to see what is the problem. The execution or the plan. Pathirana bowled really. The first six overs we can do better. What lines to bowl.”
With this win, PBKS moved to the 5th spot with 10 points from 9 matches and 5 wins, while CSK remained at the 4th spot with 10 points as well.
