In the world of cricket, MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the best finishers of all time. On Sunday, in the final over of the Chennai Super Kings captain’s match against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
He hit back-to-back sixes. Even though Dhoni tried to hit the big shot from the first ball when he came out to bat in the match’s 19th over, there was no connection.
But on the fifth ball of the final over. He slammed Sam Curran for a flat six over a backward point, and everything changed.
The chants “Dhoni, Dhoni” could be heard from all directions, and the Chepauk Stadium crowd could not contain their excitement.
The veteran batter took a strike for the final ball. He heaved over the midwicket fielder for his second run of the game.
Devon Conway’s 86-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad and another half-century helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reach a massive 200/4 in their 20 overs.
Picking to bat first, CSK was looking phenomenal so far. The team of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway tracked down holes freely. Crushing Arshdeep for three fours in the third finish.
16 runs were lost in Sam Curran’s final powerplay over. Including two fours from Conway, a four from Gaikwad, and a wide.
In 5.3 overs, CSK reached the 50-run mark. CSK had reached 57/0 after six overs of the powerplay, with Ruturaj (30*) and Conway (23*) still unbeaten at the plate.
Sikandar Raza struck Gaikwad out for 37 off 31 balls. Including four boundaries and one six, ending the 86-run opening stand. In 9.4 overs, CSK was 86/1.
CSK reached the 100-run mark in 11.1 overs thanks to a six by Dube over long-on.
In IPL 2023, Conway made his fifth half-century in just 30 balls, continuing his excellent run.
His thump comprised of nine fours and a six. He also became the third fastest player to score 5,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket.
Arshdeep Singh struck to dismiss Dube for 28 off 17 balls. Which included one four and two sixes, ending their partnership at 44 runs.
Dube and Conway were establishing a partnership at the time. In 14 overs, CSK was at 130/2.
Moeen Ali joined Conway at the crease.
Moeen hit a boundary that gave CSK 150 runs in 15.2 overs. Moeen hit two boundaries off Curran, but Rahul Chahar bowled him out for just 10 runs after wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma stumped him. In 16.1 overs, CSK was 158/3.
Conway and Ravindra Jadeja began forming a small alliance. Jadeja was sent back to a colossal thunder from the group after he was gotten by Liam Livingstone. At profound midwicket for 12 off 10 balls. Curran picked up his first catch. In 19.1 overs, CSK was 185/4.
The crowd erupted in applause as MS Dhoni entered the crease. Dhoni hit two sixes on the final two balls of the innings, which helped CSK reach 200/4. Conway was unbeaten at 92* off 52 balls.
Including 16 fours and a six, while Dhoni was unbeaten at 13 off four balls.
For PBKS, Arshdeep, Curran, Chahar, and Raza each took a wicket.