The Chennai Super Kings, reigning IPL champions, were on a sticky wicket for most part of the tournament’s inaugural game today against Kolkata Knight Riders who opted to bowl after winning the toss.
CSK batsmen were struggling to reach 100 runs after losing several key wickets in Robin Uthappa and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who took home the Orange Cap last year for scoring most runs.
The atmosphere was gloomy for CSK fans when Shivam Dube (3 runs) was returning to the pavilion, until Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked on to the pitch. The score was 61 for 5 from 10.5 overs. A standing ovation and roaring ‘Dhoni, Dhoni’ chants followed as the former CSK and India captain stood formidably on the pitch. He had to hit those boundaries and get those runs. And he did.
“Thala is back” flashed on the screen as Dhoni hit boundary after boundary and hit a half century off 38 balls. He hit 7 fours and a six. His partnership with new captain Ravindra Jadeja helped CSK power to 131 for 5. Dhoni finished in style at a magnificent 50, not out, his 28th T20 half-century.
Twitter was elated.
“MS Dhoni has scored 24 runs in last 8 balls - Thala is back,” tweeted one user.
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer tweeted:
IPL cameraman whenever he sees MS Dhoni tonight #CSKvKKR #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/LmF49Yr5lA— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 26, 2022
MS Dhoni tonight: #CSKvKKR #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/9ULnPyxrne— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 26, 2022
Top stuff.. picture abhi baaki hai @msdhoni @ChennaiIPL @IPL— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 26, 2022
That was brilliant inning from Dhoni. Not easy not playing thru out the year and produce the inning like this!— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 26, 2022
MSD Thala.! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvKKR pic.twitter.com/H3FQj9oxlE— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 26, 2022
The entry of MS Dhoni - Legend. pic.twitter.com/vFrLl0eBNc— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 26, 2022
MS Dhoni, at the age of 40, has hit more fours for CSK today.— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 26, 2022
MS Dhoni even at the age of 40 carries hopes of CSK. That is something about the man, what a legend of the game!— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 26, 2022
A boundary after 48 balls for CSK and it has come from the bat of MS Dhoni. pic.twitter.com/V2MmRpGT1W— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 26, 2022
The greatest - MS Dhoni. pic.twitter.com/B30Kk2Obm8— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 26, 2022
Kolkata Knight Riders will have to score 132 runs to win the match, the first of the season. The two teams had faced each other in the finals last year where CSK emerged the winner and clinched their fourth IPL title.
Wankhede gave standing ovation to MS Dhoni and erupts with 'Dhoni Dhoni' chants.— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 26, 2022
All matches this IPL season will be played in Pune and Mumbai due to Covid restrictions and there will be limited audience allowed at stadiums. The 10 teams, up from eight, will play a total of 70 league games over the next two months.
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