'Whatever I had in me I told him and I said go and...': MS Dhoni's guru mantra that unlocked Ajinkya Rahane at Wankhede Stadium

On April 8 (Saturday), four-time IPL victors, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), secured a commanding win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) by seven wickets at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

SportsTak

• Sun • 09 Apr 2023

Four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their second consecutive game as they thrashed arch-rivals and five-time champions, Mumbai Indian (MI) by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 8 (Saturday). It was a collective team effort from the Men in Yellow as multiple players chipped in with a handy contribution but the one that stood out the most came from veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane, who was playing his maiden game for the Men in Yellow.

The elegant right-handed batter scored the fastest half-century of this year's tournament after he reached the milestone in just 19 balls. Rahane scored 61 runs off 27 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes. It was his knock that put MS Dhoni's side on course to complete the run chase with relative ease.

After the game, CSK skipper MS Dhoni revealed his conversation with Rahane before the game.

"Me and Jinx (Rahane) spoke at the beginning when we started practicing for CSK. He was simply asking 'what you are looking from me?' Whatever I had in me I told him you need to play at your strength. You won't be somebody who will be consistently hitting sixes but you have the ability to manipulate the field, use the pace of the bowler and he is technically very sound," Dhoni said in the post-match presentation after Chennai's win in Wankhede.

"I said go and enjoy because that's what is needed. Don't take too much stress. Yes, we are not able to give you the first game but when the chance comes, we'll back you and I was very happy (with) the way he batted. I think he was a bit disappointed the way he got out which is always a good signal when a player says I could have done slightly more," he added.

On the back of Rahane's stylish knock, CSK chased down the target of 158 runs with 11 balls to spare. Dhoni's men now have two wins in three matches played this season so far.