Twitter Reactions: MS Dhoni's spectacular knock of 75 runs propels CSK to 175

A lot was said about the Chepauk pitch after the season opener between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Even MS Dhoni had criticised the surface. But come the second game after seven days, the curators got it spot on and the man himself, the Thala, was there to finish the innings for his team. His unbeaten knock of 75 runs propelled CSK to 175 runs after 20 overs.

After being inserted to bat first, the home side lost their openers very early. Ambati Rayudu troubled stay was ended by Jofra Archer while Shane Watson was snaffled by Ben Stokes. Even Kedar Jadhav fell soon as the CSK were in trouble at one stage at 27/3 in the fifth over. Then walked in MS Dhoni to calm the proceedings with his presence. He is best suited to bat at number five and the veteran proved it again.

He first took Suresh Raina by his side and resurrected the innings to the large extent. The experienced duo added 61 runs for the fourth wicket and just when the things were looking great for the team, the latter was flummoxed by Jaydev Unadkat with a slower one.

Dhoni takes over at the right time

On the other hand, MS Dhoni was calmly concentrating on rotating the strike and taking the game deep. He didn’t play any rash shot or tried anything out to ordinary. After Raina’s wicket though Dwayne Bravo came and played a 27-run cameo much to the delight of the fans. As the innings went into the 19th over, Dhoni began to flex his muscles and he was now set to launch his special assault on the bowler.

Unfortunately for Unadkat, he came in the firing line in the last over. MS Dhoni brought all his experience together to smash the left-arm bowler for three sixes off the last four balls. The CSK skipper was ready for any kind of delivery and he dispatched all kind of variations from the bowler into the stands to eke out 28 runs off the final over.

Dhoni finished on 75 off just 46 deliveries and his knock was laced with four fours and as many sixes as the CSK managed to add 60 runs off last three overs. The finisher never went out of the sight and this form from MS Dhoni must be a great news for the Indian fans.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

M S Dhoni has got to be the coolest leader to have walked onto ancrixket field. I hope all the young kids around the world copy MSD’s body language, demeanor and calmness. #CSK.

— ian bishop (@irbishi) March 31, 2019

What a knock to witness. #MSD, you beauty 😍#CSKvRR

— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) March 31, 2019

MS Dhoni's highest scores in #IPL
79* (44) – CSK v KXIP (Mohali) 15 Apr 2018
75* (46) – CSK v RR (Chennai) tonight
(prev HS at Chennai: 67* v SRH in 2013)#CSKvRR#IPL2019

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 31, 2019

MS Dhoni will you get you out of trouble, take you to safety and slip into the background as quickly. Every time. #CSKvRR #VIVOIPL

— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) March 31, 2019

Whistle Podu…. 🙏🤗 #Dhoni #CSKvRR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 31, 2019

RCB on this track: 70

MS Dhoni here: 75*

Dhoni won by 5 runs. #IPL

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 31, 2019

Most unbeaten scores of 70-plus for keepers in IPL:

4 – MS Dhoni*
3 – KL Rahul #CSKvRR

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 31, 2019

Take a bow @msdhoni, you were sensational! Great final over for #CSK and #RR have a mountain to climb to chase 175 even allowibg for the dew factor

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 31, 2019

Dhoni waits. And waits. It’s like he finds a way to create extra time. Seems like he’s been batting for hours and hours. Just 46 balls. 75 runs. The man is on another dimension

— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 31, 2019

This is why everyone backs @msdhoni so much, he knows how to save his team.First, settle in slowly and then destroy the opposition in the final overs. Superb batting! #CSKvRR @ChennaiIPL

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 31, 2019

This is a very healthy total, going to be hard work for #RR considering the @ChennaiIPL formidable spin attack , #CSKvsRR #IPL #IPL2019 #BadriBytes

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) March 31, 2019

55 in 10 overs

175 in 20 overs

Only CSK & DHONI can make it possible! #CSKvRR

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2019

Dhoni fans would obviously ruin the atmosphere by comparing it with Pant, Virat, Ganguly, Kapil Dev, Don Bradman. Even I am annoyed now. #IPL

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 31, 2019

If you want a management lesson without going to a renowned B school watch this @msdhoni innings again and again and give yourself an MBA. Class !

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 31, 2019

Brilliant measured innings from Dhoni. Took his time till the end of the mid overs scoring 29 off 27 (at 6.44 rpo). Unleashed at the death scoring 46 off 19 (at 14.52 rpo). He was the most secure playing 8% false shots, while all others played 23.3% false shots #IPL2019 #CSKvRR

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) March 31, 2019

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