Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon MS Dhoni rolled back the years with an entertaining cameo during the side’s IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vizag on Sunday. Dhoni, batting for the first time this season, hit an unbeaten 37 off just 16 balls, hitting at a rate of over 231, albeit in a losing cause. The former CSK captain hit Anrich Nortje for 20 in the final, but his side fell short by as many points as DC’s total. Dhoni did not bat in CSK’s first two matches but gave his fans something to rejoice in the third game.
On the very first ball he faced, Dhoni hit Mukesh Kumar for a boundary. He managed to collect four more in the same time, leaving the crowd in Visakhapatnam enthralled.
WHAT YEAR IS THIS? WHAT IS HAPPENING? WE ARE ABSOLUTELY OUT OF WORDS! #IPLonJioCinema #Dhoni #TATAIPL #DCvCSK pic.twitter.com/RQxe5GKuWg
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 31, 2024
Dhoni then hit Khaleel Ahmed for a six in the next over, before finishing the match with two fours and as many maximums in the final over.
There is nothing beyond Thala’s reach #IPLonJioCinema #Dhoni #TATAIPL #DCvCSK pic.twitter.com/SpDWksFDLO
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 31, 2024
Talking about the match, DC defeated CSK by 20 runs to register their first win in IPL 2024, which also handed the defending champions a first defeat in the ongoing campaign.
Chasing a target of 192 runs, CSK were rocked by pacers Khaleel Ahmed (2/21) and Mukesh Kumar (3/21), ending at 171 for six.
Ajinkya Rahane (45, 30b), Daryl Mitchell (34, 26b) and MS Dhoni (37 not out, 16b) did their best but DC bowlers were on the money tonight.
Earlier, strong fifties from captain Rishabh Pant and experienced opener David Warner guided Delhi Capitals to 191 for five.
Pant (51, 32 balls) and Warner (52, 35 balls) found good support from opener Prithvi Shaw (43, 27 balls).
It was Pant’s first fifty in this IPL.
Pacer Matheesha Pathirana (3/31) was the most successful bowler for CSK.
DC missed the services of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav due to a niggle.
(With PTI inputs)
