Arguably the biggest “finisher” in the history of cricket, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit two sixes on the last two balls of the innings to finish the innings in an apt manner in Indian Premier League 2023 Match 41 against Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium today.
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Dhoni, who promoted himself to No. 6 for the first time this season, ended up scoring 13* (4) to not only generate a much-needed push towards the end of the innings but also become a source of amazement for thousands of fans at the Chepauk and millions watching across the globe.
With his turn to bat coming in the last over, Dhoni went against his natural instinct of hitting down the ground on the first ball he faced. Having missed a Sam Curran delivery in his attempt of scooping the ball, Dhoni hit the next ball towards long-on but only for a single.
Back on strike for the penultimate ball, Dhoni slashed a short and wide delivery for a six over the point region. Treating the left-arm bowler on merit, the right-hand batter didn’t try to improvise on this particular occasion.
A 69-metre six was, however, followed by an 88-metre six as Dhoni hit a low full-toss over the deep mid-wicket fielder for the second six of the innings. Although the home supporters didn’t let their cheers get affected by Dhoni not hitting a boundary on the first two balls, the noise was at a whole different level when he timed the ball perfectly on consecutive occasions on a Sunday afternoon.
MS Dhoni Six Today
Last over of the innings.@msdhoni on strike 💛, you know the rest 😎💥#TATAIPL | #CSKvPBKS pic.twitter.com/xedD3LggIp
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2023
Punjab Kings need to chase a 201-run target
A solid foundation in the form of a 58-ball 86-run partnership by Super Kings opening batters Ruturaj Gaikwad (37) and Devon Conway (92*) was a primary reason behind the hosts putting on board 200/4 in 20 overs after Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat.
Conway, in particular, hit 16 fours and a six at a strike rate of 176.92 to register his fifth half-century of the season after missing becoming the fourth batter to score five consecutive IPL half-centuries in the last match.