In the first game of IPL 2023, Dhoni opened the scoring with a massive six against the Gujarat Titans in the final over of the innings.
After being put in to bat by Gujarat Titans on the opening night of the 2023 Indian Premier League, the CSK put up a respectable 178/7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his first appearance in almost a year as he captained the CSK in the new season. The team finished a disappointing ninth in the 2022 season, winning just four of their fourteen games.
Batting-wise, CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad was the night’s hero, coming within 8 runs of matching Brendon McCullum’s opening-game century. Even though the CSK innings was slowed by quick wickets in the middle, the team was able to recover thanks to Gaikwad’s 92 runs off of only 50 deliveries.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, batting eighth in the innings, made a brief appearance in the latter stages while remaining unbeaten on 14 runs off 7 balls. Dhoni rewrote history in the final over, smashing left-arm pacer Josh Little for a massive six over deep midwicket. With the maximum, he joined a select group of six-hitters in the league.
MS Dhoni hit the 200th six of his career for CSK, making him only the fifth batter in IPL history to do so. So far, the following players have accomplished this with just one IPL team:
- Chris Gayle (RCB): 239
- AB de Villiers (RCB): 238
- Kieron Pollard (MI): 223
- Virat Kohli (RCB): 218
- MS Dhoni (CSK): 200
Dhoni ranks second among active IPL players, behind only his former India teammate and current RCB superstar Virat Kohli.
Earlier in the game, CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad was the night’s batting hero, guiding the Super Kings to a healthy total with a brilliant 92 off of 50 balls.
