Praises are pouring in for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni, who booked yet another final berth for the franchise defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by four wickets. It will be Dhoni’s 10th IPL final, having taken the Chennai Super Kings to the summit clash in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and winning the title in 2010, 2011 and 2018. Dhoni also played the IPL final in 2017 with Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) under Steve Smith after the suspension of CSK from 2016 & 2017.
From Indian skipper Virat Kohli to Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to his former India and CSK teammates, everyone has lavished praise on ‘Thala’ for his match-winning cameo on Sunday. Dhoni blasted 18 runs off six deliveries to seal the deal for the CSK.
While Dhoni’s blistering knock made Kohli jump out of his seat, Ponting went on to call him one of the "greatest finisher" of the game.
“He is one of the greats, don’t think there is any doubt there. Look, I think when he is done and when he’s retired, I think he’ll definitely be remembered as one of the great finishers the game has ever seen," Ponting said in the post-match press conference.
Earlier, Kohli had tweeted about Dhoni’s inning with the caption, “Anddddd the king is back (heart emoji) the greatest finisher ever in the game. Made me jump outta my seat once again tonight. @msdhoni".
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah was effusive in his praise for the former Indian captain recalling how his inning brought back old memories. Shah tweeted, “The art of finishing- @msdhoni style. What an absolute cracker of a game. So many memories come alive when you see MSD finish a game like that #Dhoni #DCvsCSK "
Dhoni’s former Indian teammates, Ashish Nehra and Gautam Gambhir also applauded Dhoni for his captaincy.
“Bade games mein Dhoni jaisa cool aur koi nahin,” Nehra told Cricbuzz.
“MS Dhoni No.1 captain in IPL 2021,” Gambhir spoke to ESPNCricinfo.
Meanwhile, the 40-year-old's former CSK teammates Shane Watson and Matthew Hyaden took to Twitter to express their happiness on the return of ‘Thala’.
“Just another run chase where the master steps up, when the team needs him the most. @mahi7781. So close now for number 4 for @chennaiipl @iplt20 , wrote Watson.
“Guess who’s back @mahi7781 #whitlepodu @csk so happy (heart emoji) Finals again. Now who will join them????”, Hayden shared on his social media.
