MS Dhoni entertained the fans with another blistering cameo in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday (April 19).
Batting at No. 8, Dhoni smashed 28 not out off just 9 balls with three fours and two sixes, propelling the defending champions to 176/6 in 20 overs. However, the target proved to be below-par as LSG overhauled it without breaking a sweat in just 19 overs.
After the game, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming explained why MS Dhoni is not batting up the order in the ongoing IPL edition.
Notably, Dhoni has looked in terrific touch this season, sending bowlers on a leather hunt while scoring at a strike rate of 255.88. Despite his good form, the 42-year-old is coming in to bat lower down the order.
"It is inspirational, his batting this season, even in the nets, has been very crisp and the team is not surprised to see what he is doing. His skill level during the pre-season was very high. Other years he had a problem with his knee and he is still recovering, which is why there are only a certain amount of balls he can function well. I think everyone wants to see him for longer as we do, but that amount of time is right; we need him for the tournament," Fleming said in the post-match presser.
In CSK’s match against the Delhi Capitals at Vizag, Dhoni came in to bat at No. 8 and slammed an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. He followed it with another dazzling cameo of 20* in just 4 balls, including three successive sixes off Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya at the Wankhede Stadium.
"That 2-3 over cameo, he is owning that space, it is up to the rest of the batting unit to get us sort of in a good position where he can push us over the top and he is doing that pretty much every time at the moment, which is great to watch and what an amazing atmosphere when he comes out and entertains. We are incredibly proud of what he has achieved and we marvel at the amount of love that he gets. We are incredibly proud that he is part of our side and he is pretty much the heartbeat of our side," Fleming added.
CSK will face Lucknow Super Giants again on April 23, but this time as hosts at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.
