In a thrilling display of cricket at Wankhede Stadium on April 14, MS Dhoni, the veteran cricketer and former captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), reminded everyone of his prowess by scoring an explosive 20 runs off just four deliveries. This performance not only energized the stadium but also propelled his team to breach the 200-run mark in their face-off against Mumbai Indians.
Dhoni’s batting was crucial as he entered the crease in the last over of CSK’s innings. At 42 years old, he demonstrated his timeless ability to change the course of the game in moments. The crowd roared when Dhoni executed three consecutive sixes off Hardik Pandya’s bowling. His first six flew over long-off, which came from a slower delivery aimed outside off stump. Dhoni followed it up immediately with another massive hit over long-on from a fuller delivery and then a third over square leg from a full toss. He rounded off his batting spectacle with a quick double on the final delivery, taking the team’s score to an impressive 206/4.
This performance scripted a new record in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, as Dhoni became the first Indian batsman to hit three consecutive sixes at the start of an IPL innings. Before Dhoni, only two other players have achieved this feat – Sunil Narine for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021 and Nicholas Pooran for Lucknow Super Giants in 2023.
The significance of Dhoni’s sixes was underscored by the match’s outcome where CSK won by 20 runs, ending Mumbai Indians’ streak of four consecutive successful run chases at Wankhede. This victory was further bolstered by CSK’s strategic bowling especially in the latter part of Mumbai’s innings. The bowlers kept their nerve, delivering wide of the off-stump, making it difficult for the batsmen to hit effectively.
Adding to the spectacle, young Matheesha Pathirana delivered an exceptional bowling performance, claiming four wickets for just 28 runs in his comeback game post-injury. His effective use of pace and variations earned him the Player of the Match, underlining his potential as a key player for CSK moving forward.
The match also featured notable innings from other CSK players. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube made substantial contributions scoring 69 (off 40 balls) and 66 (off 38 balls) respectively. Their efforts set the stage for Dhoni’s dramatic finish and collectively ensured a formidable total for the team.
With this record, Dhoni has not only added another outstanding milestone to his illustrious career but has also massively boosted the morale of his team. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver exceptional results unequivocally establishes him as one of the greats in the IPL’s history. Such performances are a testament to his enduring class and skill as a finisher, a reputation that Dhoni has built and maintained over many years.
As the IPL season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Dhoni’s presence and strategic insights continue to influence the outcomes for Chennai Super Kings. His leadership on and off the field remains a crucial asset for the team as they aim for success in this highly competitive tournament. Dhoni, at 42, continues to defy age, demonstrating that form is temporary but class is indeed permanent.