The Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals registered their first victory of the IPL 2024 season with a 20-run win against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. However, the highlight of the match was a spectacular cameo by MS Dhoni.
Despite Dhoni’s unbeaten 37 off 16 balls, his whirlwind innings couldn’t save CSK from defeat, as they had too large a target to chase. Dhoni’s performance earned him the title of ‘Electric Striker of the Match’ and thrilled fans in the stadium, creating an atmosphere as if CSK had emerged victorious.
Sakshi Dhoni’s Hilarious Message For MS Dhoni After CSK’s Defeat Has Gone Viral
The excitement in the stadium, particularly after witnessing an exceptional performance by MS Dhoni, led even his wife Sakshi to believe that Chennai had won. Sakshi shared her surprise on an Instagram story, admitting that she hadn’t realized it was Delhi who emerged victorious. She wrote:
“Hi there @mahi7781! Didn’t realize we lost the game”
Check out her Instagram story:
In the match, Khaleel Ahmed set the tone for Delhi Capitals by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra for 1 and 2 runs, respectively.
Ajinkya Rahane (45) and Daryl Mitchell (34) attempted to stabilize Chennai Super Kings with a 68-run partnership. However, Axar Patel broke the partnership by dismissing Mitchell, followed by Mukesh Kumar removing Rahane.
Shivam Dube and Sameer Rizvi struggled to accelerate CSK’s innings. MS Dhoni’s late onslaught, scoring 20 runs off Anrich Nortje in the final over, provided some hope. Nonetheless, Delhi Capitals’ well-planned strategy denied CSK a victory.
In the first innings, Prithvi Shaw (43 runs from 27 balls) and David Warner (52 runs from 35 balls) provided a strong start for Delhi, forming a 93-run opening partnership. CSK’s star all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, crucially dismissed Shaw in the 11th over. Shaw’s aggressive innings included 4 fours and 2 sixes.
After the early dismissals, Rishabh Pant took charge of the innings. However, other Delhi batters like Mitchell Marsh (18 runs from 12 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (0 runs from 2 balls) couldn’t contribute significantly. Matheesha Pathirana made an impact by taking crucial wickets in the 15th over, removing Marsh and Stubbs.
The Sri Lankan pacer claimed his third wicket by dismissing Pant in the 19th over. Pant’s aggressive knock, featuring 4 fours and 3 sixes, propelled Delhi past the 190-run mark.
