IPL 2023: MS Dhoni's vintage form steals limelight despite CSK's loss to RR

The 17th match of the Indian Premier League (2023) featured a heavyweight clash between the four-time champions Chennai Super Kings and previous year's runners up - the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals - at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday, April 12.

Despite the match ending in disappointment for Chennai fans, the game was still the stuff of dreams for cricket fanatics all across the globe. Chennai skipper MS Dhoni being the reason for the same, the 41-year-old stole the limelight and played a vintage knock against Rajasthan Royals.

Chasing 175 runs, MS Dhoni walked out to bat when the side required 63 runs in 30 deliveries to clinch the victory. The stadium erupted as the legendary skipper took strike. The wicketkeeper-batter proceeded to play a vintage knock, amassing 32* runs in 17 deliveries, proving yet again why he is one of the best batters during the death overs.

He also hit three sixes in the process, two of which came in the very last over of the game when Dhoni and Jadeja attempted to score 21 runs in the last six deliveries. The CSK skipper's blitzkrieg took the fans on a stroll down memory lane, and despite his knock being in vain, MS Dhoni sure managed to put on a show against the Men in Pink.

IndianPremierLeague@IPL

In the arc & out of the park! 💪 💪 That was one mighty hit from MSD 👏 👏 Follow the match ▶️ bit.ly/TATAIPL-2023-17 #TATAIPL | #CSKvRR | @msdhoni | @ChennaiIPL

11:12 PM · Apr 12, 2023

4.2K550

runmachinevirat@runmachinevi143

Mahendra singh dhoni is the best in the world 💛💛 #MSDhoni𓃵 #CSKvsRR

11:46 PM · Apr 12, 2023

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.@AamirsABD

In Last over Two Sixes of #MSDhoni𓃵 Views - 2.2cr 👑 #CSKvsRR #RRvsCSK @ChennaiIPL @msdhoni #WhistlePodu

11:29 PM · Apr 12, 2023

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Rajasthan Royals breach fortress Chepauk following all-round performance

Coming in to bat first, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had been in sensational form failed to perform as he was sent back to the pavilion quite early. Jos Buttler did build upon his excellent form, amassing 52 runs in 36 deliveries. Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shimron Hetmyer further helped their side’s case by playing good knocks and propelling Rajasthan to a total of 175 runs.

Coming in to chase, Devon Conway pushed a strong case for Chennai, scoring his first half century of the IPL 2023. However, after Ashwin dismantled the middle-order of the side, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja did manage to take the game down the wire. However, it just wasn’t enough in the end, as Rajasthan won the thrilling clash on the final delivery, by three runs.