Whether it is Chepauk stadium in Chennai or Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, MS Dhoni mania remains constant. MS Dhoni fever gripped the fans, this time the Ekana Stadium as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) superstar delivered a thrilling 9-ball 28 not out cameo, captivating the Lucknow crowd on Friday, April 19. LSG bowlers did well to put a leash on CSK batter until MS Dhoni took the ground. Dhoni, alongside Moeen Ali (30 off 20), launched a barrage of sixes in the closing overs, propelling CSK to a competitive total of 176/6. However, despite conceding runs in the final overs, Lucknow Super Giants managed to contain Chennai to a manageable score and comfortably chased it down with six balls remaining. Captain Rahul spearheaded the chase with a dynamic 53-ball 82, leading Lucknow to their fourth victory of the ongoing IPL season.
Dhoni walks in and the pressure gets to the bowlers: KL Rahul
Post-match, KL acknowledged that his bowlers conceded extra runs towards the end, influenced by Dhoni’s presence at the crease. He noted that the younger bowlers felt the pressure due to Dhoni’s intimidating effect.
"160-165 would have been ideal but yah again its MSD (smiles). He walks in and the pressure gets to the bowlers. That's the presence and intimidation he has had over teams and bowlers. We have a young team and I think it was the first time they were put under pressure by huge figure like MS. Crowd was really really loud. But I still thought they stuck to their plans. He is a phenomenal player to still hit them for sixes. Yeah, 15-20 runs extra but we knew if we bat well we can chase it down," Rahul said at the post-match presentation following LSG's win over CSK.
Dhoni continued his hot streak! Facing only nine balls, he smashed three boundaries and two sixes for an unbeaten 28, propelling CSK to a strong finish. This marks Dhoni's third blistering cameo in the IPL 2024 season, and all this just before his 43rd birthday in July.
Rahul was a one-man show, leading from the front with astute bowling changes, sharp fielding (two catches and a stumping), and then sealing the victory with a crucial 82-run knock.
"Feels good at the end of the day, When you win, looks like you make all the decisions right. "Impossible to get all right. Depends on the kind of wicket we are playing on and the kind of batters there are. We spend time doing homework on tactics and strategy and we spoke about them not settling against one style of bowling," said Player of the Match Rahul.
KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock seal the match for LSG
KL Rahul (82) and Quinton de Kock (54) tore apart the CSK bowling with a record-breaking partnership of 134, the highest for any wicket at Ekana Stadium. Their dominance ensured a comfortable eight-wicket win for LSG in just 19 overs, chasing down a target of 177.
"Felt that if we bat well, we could chase it down. I have been trying to assess the situation and today it came off. With Chennai's spinners, they tried to put brakes on us. We tried to get to a good start. Tried to take them down, luckily it came off. When your partnership goes on, you can take a few more chances. Glad that it happened," Rahul concluded.
After the loss to LSG, Chennai Super Kings still hold onto third place in IPL 2024 points table with 8 points. Lucknow Super Giants, also on 8 points with 4 wins from seven matches, climb to fifth place. Meanwhile, LSG and CSK will be up against each other again, but this time at Chepauk on April 23.
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