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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni was within striking distance of a win off the last ball of the run chase but an experienced Indian Premier League (IPL) campaigner kept him from finishing it off in style. While it was a thrilling finish to the game, CSK batters lost the plot in the middle overs of the run chase.
At halfway stage, CSK were 80/2. But the required run rate kept climbing up when the spinners were operating. Succumbing to the pressure they went for big shots and lost wickets. Dhoni pointed out that the lack of rotation of strike led to Royals dominating the proceedings before Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja went berserk.
“I think in the middle overs we needed a bit more strike rotation, there wasn't much for the spinners but they had experienced spinners and we could not rotate strike. It was not that difficult and the ownership should come from the batters,’ Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.
When Dhoni walked out to bat, CSK needed 62 runs from the final five overs. In the final two overs, CSK needed 40 to win but they ended up losing the match by just three runs.
“It was good that we could reach striking distance (of the target) as we were the last pair. It really affects NRR when you get to the last phase of the tournament. You see the field, see the bowler and what the bowler is trying to do, after that just stand still and wait for them to commit the mistake, if they bowl in good areas then good luck to them. I would wait for it and that is something which has worked for me, you need to back your strength and my strength is to hit straight. There was a bit of dew and once the ball went to the outfield it became easier for the batters,” he said.
It was Dhoni's 200th game as CSK captain. However, the 41-year-old revealed that he did not know about the milestone.
“I really didn't know it was my 200th (game as CSK skipper) and milestones don't really matter for me, it is about how you're performing and the results,” he said.
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