Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni (Image Credit: Sportzpix)
MS Dhoni has fond memories of playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in the past
The legendary Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni revealed why he feels the Sawai Mansingh Stadium is very close to his heart after his team’s match against Rajasthan Royals. Dhoni suffered a 32-run defeat away from home on Friday but once again there was overwhelming support for him and the Yellow Army at the opposition ground. Fans are turning up in large numbers this season to support Dhoni, who might bid adieu to IPL after the ongoing season.
Dhoni has fond memories of playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in the past as his highest score of 183 in ODIs came at the same venue and recalled how that innings ensured he got a long run in the Indian team.
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“I think they’ll be following me the whole time. It’s a very special place because my first ODI hundred was in Vizag which took me maybe 10 more matches but 183 overs here and it ensured I got a chance for a year Met. It’s a great place, very close to my heart. We’ve been playing everywhere but it feels good to be back here,” Dhoni said after the match.
Talking about the loss against the Royals, Dhoni suggested that his team conceded too many runs in the powerplay, which helped the opposition score a par.
“It (the goal) was a little above par. The reason was the first six overs gave away too many runs, but at the same time the pitch was the best for batting at that time. Even as they were finishing off, Agen was still going for the boundary. He got a par+ score and we could not stop the run.
It was an off day for young Sri Lankan pacer Mathisha Pathirana, however, with Dhoni suggesting he bowled good lengths but his figures did not reflect this.
“I thought he (Pathirana) bowled very well, not that he bowled badly. The scorecard doesn’t reflect how well he bowled.”
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The veteran wicket-keeper batsman also praised the explosive innings of Rajasthan Royals youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.
“Yashasvi batted really well, took vital, calculated risks to go after the bowlers. It was a bit easier against our bowlers as we had to judge the length. Still Yashasvi batted well at the top end and Jurel batted really well at the end,” Dhoni said.
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