MS Dhoni rolled back the years with a vintage cameo as he, alongside Shivam Dube, guided Chennai Super Kings to a five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants, snapping their five-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League on Monday.
Dhoni remained unbeaten on 26 off 11 balls, striking four boundaries and a six, while Dube contributed a steady 43 not out off 37 deliveries. The duo shared an unbroken 57-run partnership for the sixth wicket, enabling CSK to chase down a target of 167 with three balls to spare.
Rishabh Pant’s return to form earlier in the day gave LSG a boost, as the captain struck a 49-ball 63, lifting his side to a competitive total of 166 for seven. Pant’s knock included a flurry of strokes towards the end, particularly against pace, as he combined for 53 runs with Abdul Samad (20) for the fifth wicket.
CSK’s chase began briskly with debutant Shaik Rasheed (27 off 19) and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 22) putting on 52 runs in just 29 balls. Ravindra found the gaps on the off side while Rasheed was graceful on the leg, bringing up the fifty in just five overs.
Rasheed’s promising innings ended when he miscued a pull off Avesh Khan. Aiden Markram trapped Ravindra leg before soon after, and Rahul Tripathi failed to capitalise on a reprieve, edging Ravi Bishnoi back to the bowler. Bishnoi bowled with control, also accounting for Ravindra Jadeja with a flighted delivery taken sharply by Markram at long-on.
Needing 56 runs off the final five overs, Dhoni stepped in and wasted no time. He carved Avesh Khan through the off-side for four and followed it up with a deft edge to third man. A vintage flourish came off Shardul Thakur as Dhoni smashed a one-handed six and a boundary off successive overs.
With Dube rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries, the pair utilised the pace of the LSG bowlers expertly to take CSK home.
Earlier, CSK elected to bowl and started strongly. Left-armer Khaleel Ahmed (1/38) dismissed Markram in the opening over, thanks to a diving catch by Tripathi. Anshul Kamboj then removed Nicholas Pooran leg-before.
Mitchell Marsh, returning after a brief personal break, attacked early, striking Khaleel for a four and a six. Pant entered with purpose and played a few audacious shots, including a reverse scoop for six off Jamie Overton.
Jadeja (2/34) initially went for runs but returned to bowl Marsh with a straight one. Young Ayush Badoni (22 off 17) looked fluent, smashing Overton for two sixes in an over to take LSG past 90 in the 12th over.
Badoni was stumped after being deceived by Jadeja, despite surviving a no-ball and an LBW review earlier in his innings. Pant, though challenged by the spinners, particularly Noor Ahmad (4-0-13-0), shifted gears once pace was reintroduced. He hammered Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) for two sixes, including a powerful one-handed pull over square leg, bringing up his half-century.
However, the momentum shifted in CSK’s favour again as Dhoni produced a direct hit to dismiss Samad and then took a superb high catch off Pant, effectively ending LSG’s hopes of a late surge.
The victory lifted CSK spirits and offered fans a glimpse of the ever-reliable Dhoni in match-finishing mode.
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