In a thrilling match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, led by Dhoni, came close to victory but lost by two runs.
When Yash Dayal bowled a no-ball, Shivam Dube smashed it for a six, leaving Chennai needing six runs from three balls to win, with one being a free-hit. However, Dayal managed to defend the remaining three deliveries, and Dube and Ravindra Jadeja could only score three singles. Despite being on the verge of victory, Chennai lost the match, but Dhoni didn’t blame the two batsmen on the field. Instead, he took full responsibility for the loss.
On Saturday in Bangalore, after a brilliant performance from Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethuel, followed by Romario Shepherd’s explosive 53 runs off 14 balls, Royal Challengers Bangalore set a challenging target of 213 in 20 overs.
In reply, Ayush Matre’s 94 runs off 48 balls, along with a 114-run partnership with Jadeja from 64 balls, kept Chennai in the chase. However, in the 17th over, Lungi Ngidi dismissed both Ayush and Dewald Brevis in consecutive balls, bringing Dhoni to the crease.
At that point, Chennai still had a solid chance, needing 42 runs from 21 balls. Jadeja hit a six in the same over, and Dhoni also cleared the boundary in the 19th over. However, he struggled to hit big shots in the other deliveries.
In the final over, Chennai required 15 runs. Jadeja and Dhoni could only manage singles off the first two balls, and on the third ball, Dhoni was out LBW to a low full toss. Despite hitting a six earlier, Dhoni could only manage 12 runs off 8 balls in the last stretch, at 43 years old.
The match turned after Dayal’s no-ball six and the last three balls, where Bangalore managed to hold on for a two-run victory. Jadeja’s 77 runs off 45 balls ended in vain.
While some may point fingers at Jadeja for not finishing the job, Dhoni took the blame after the match.
“I should have taken at least two more deliveries when I came to bat. If I had, the pressure would have eased. So, I take the blame for this one,” Dhoni admitted.
Chennai wouldn’t have needed such a big chase if their bowlers hadn’t faltered in the final overs. After 18 overs, Bangalore were only on 159, but the last two overs saw them score 54 runs, with Shepherd alone scoring 52.
In the 19th over, bowled by Khalil Ahmed, four sixes and two fours contributed 33 runs. In the final over, Matheesha Pathirana gave away 21 runs, including two sixes and two fours.
“We need to practice more yorkers. When the batsmen start hitting, the yorker is usually the best option. If it’s not perfect, the next best delivery is the low full toss, as it’s one of the hardest balls to hit.”
“We have to improve in that area. Also, bowlers like Pathirana, with pace, should be able to bowl bouncers if they can’t get the yorker right. That forces the batsmen to think.”
Unfortunately, there isn’t much time for improvement. Chennai’s exit from the tournament is now certain, and with only three matches remaining, their hopes of qualification have been dashed.
