Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja pranked Chennai fans during their IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a clip of which has gone viral on social media. The match, played on April 8 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, saw CSK thrashing KKR by seven wickets. But beyond the win itself, a playful prank by Jadeja stole the show for many fans. CSK fans are known for their unflinching support for their team, especially their legendary captain MS Dhoni. Whenever Dhoni walks out to bat at Chepauk, the crowd erupts in a frenzy. Jadeja, aware of this immense fan loyalty, decided to have some fun.
With MS Dhoni nearing the end of his career, fans savor every moment he spends on the field. His batting appearances are particularly cherished, especially when he unleashes flashes of his past brilliance. The CSK versus KKR match at the iconic Chepauk stadium offered such a glimpse. However, before fans could fully enjoy Dhoni's batting, they were treated to a playful moment by Ravindra Jadeja.
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Jadeja's prank caught everyone off guard
After Shivam Dube's dismissal in the 17th over, Jadeja walked out to bat, momentarily stealing the spotlight from the much-anticipated Dhoni amidst the roaring applause of the crowd.
His unexpected walkout surprised the CSK dugout, leaving some momentarily speechless. The crowd, initially stunned, quickly expressed their disappointment at the delay of their hero, Dhoni. Unable to contain his laughter, Jadeja turned back towards the pavilion, his amusement evident as the CSK camp erupted in amusement themselves. Dhoni eventually entered the fray to a hero's welcome. As the roar of the Chepauk crowd reached a fever pitch, Dhoni walked out to bat with CSK needing just 3 runs to seal the victory. However, in a move that surprised no one familiar with Dhoni's selfless nature, he opted to let the in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad (67* off 58 balls) finish the chase, allowing the young opener to claim the winning runs.
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CSK's emphatic win over KKR
CSK rode on Jadeja's superlative spell to secure a convincing victory against KKR at Chepauk. His impressive three-wicket haul played a key role in restricting KKR to a manageable total of 137/9 in their allotted 20 overs. He received valuable support from Tushar Deshpande (3/33) and Mustafizur Rahman (2/22) who also chipped in with crucial wickets. Chasing a modest target of 138, the CSK batters dominated the run chase. Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored the innings with a well-crafted half-century, single-handedly guiding his team towards victory. Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (25) and Shivam Dube (28) further solidified CSK's position. Ultimately, they secured a comfortable 7-wicket win over KKR.
Currently sitting in fourth place on the IPL 2024 points table, the defending champions will look to continue their winning momentum. Their next challenge comes on April 14 where they face the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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