Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on MS Dhoni after Chennai Super Kings registered a five-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow on Monday. CSK had suffered five losses on the bounce and Dhoni was questioned for his timid approach with the bat.
Furthermore, a lot of CSK fans were not happy after Dhoni decided to push himself down the order. However, against LSG, Dhoni was able to hit the ground running as Shivam Dube was struggling to find his timing.
The CSK captain scored a fine cameo of 11-ball 26 with the help of four fours and one six to take his team over the line. Moreover, Shivam Dube also scored an unbeaten 43 off 37 balls.
“Mahi hai to mumkin hai. We are still saying that the lion might have gotten old but hasn’t forgotten hunting. He played a few shots even now. He hit a shot with just one hand. He said ‘yeh mere bayen haath ka khel hai, Thakur.’ He won the game and was standing and fighting till the end,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“I am not saying Chennai Super Kings are going to win the trophy. I am not talking about fairytales, but he has won the match and scored runs as well. He has given a proper answer after being humiliated a lot for playing slowly. He has tolerated a lot of insults,” he added.
Meanwhile, when Dhoni joined forces with Shivam Dube, more than 10 runs/over were required and Chopra noted that it wasn’t easy for the batting team.
“It was difficult. They should have won this match very easily, otherwise, but how can Chennai do the job easily because the batting is absolutely ordinary? Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) was even sent up the order, but it isn’t happening. It was a small run chase, and if you reach such a situation despite getting a good start, it just tells you this team’s situation is not good,” he said.
The renowned commentator noted that Dhoni outbatted his partner Shivam Dube during their 57-run alliance.
“However, the guy was there, and the guy who was playing with him, he is the sixer Dube, and he (Dhoni) overshadowed him as well. When you score 26 runs off 11 balls, you are also given the Player of the Match award, and slightly emotionally at that,” Chopra observed.
CSK will next take on arch-rivals MI at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
