Last Update: May 15, 2023, 4:41 PM IST
MS Dhoni scored two runs in three balls against KKR. (pic credit: sportzpix)
Vaibhav Arora held his nerves to keep MS Dhoni calm in the last over at Chepauk on Sunday night
Playing their last league match of IPL 2023 at home before the start of the playoffs, Chennai Super Kings will be eyeing a win against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. Captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first.
However, the pitch at Chepauk posed tough questions for the batsmen and CSK have failed to get going in their fashion of the season so far. Probably playing his last few matches in the IPL, the Chepauk fans were eagerly waiting to see him in action with the bat.
The wait ended in the final over when Ravindra Jadeja was caught at the boundary trying to hit the ball out of the park.
To restrict Chennai to 140/6 in 19.4 overs, Dhoni needed to do what he has done effectively – hit boundaries. However, KKR’s Vaibhav Arora was in no mood to let the veteran flaunt his arms. The young fast bowler had conceded only 5 runs in the first four balls of the last over.
Dhoni came out to bat amid the usual din of the crowd, which surely must have gone over the young Vaibhav’s mind.
The pacer, however, managed to keep his nerves under control. He missed the yorker on the first attempt but hit the ball straight into the block hole on the second.
Dhoni swings his arm but can’t connect. Vaibhav’s accuracy impressed Dhoni but there was a twist. It was a no-ball and Dhoni got another chance to treat the Chepauk crowd with a big shot.
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On the free-hit, Dhoni went for a big shot but was bowled.
The young pacer followed it up with another precise yorker and Dhoni took two runs to take CSK’s innings to 144 for 6.
Chasing 145, KKR got off to a disappointing start as they lost the first three wickets. The visitors had collapsed to 33/4 in the 5th over before skipper Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh steadied the ship.
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The duo stitched a solid partnership to bring Kolkata back into the game. Both added 99 runs together before Rinku was dismissed in the 18th over. KKR chased down the target in 18.3 overs to reach 2 points and remain in the tournament.
Dhoni and Co. are set to face Delhi Capitals in their last league match of the season on Saturday, May 20.
