Chennai Super Kings finally opened their account in the ongoing 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League as the MS Dhoni-led side defeated Lucknow Super Giants in their second game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
It was a perfect homecoming for the four-time IPL champions, who returned to the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai for the first time since 2019.
MS Dhoni Issued A Big Warning
After registering their first win of IPL 2023, MS Dhoni spoke about playing at the iconic venue, before he issued a strict warning to his players. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Dhoni admitted that the CSK pacers need to stop bowling way too many extras or they will have to play under a new captain. He said:
“It’s the fast bowling that will need to slightly improve and bowl according to the conditions. Even if it’s on the flatter side, force batters to hit over the fielders. They’ll have to bowl no no balls and less wides. We are bowling too many extra deliveries and need to cut them out otherwise they’ll be playing under a new captain,”
For the unversed, during the game, CSK gave away a total of 18 runs in extras including three no-balls, 13 wides, and two leg-byes.
Further, he also expressed his feelings about playing at the jam-packed venue. Dhoni said:
“It was a terrific game, high-scoring game. All of us were thinking how the wicket will be. We had that doubt. It was a high-scoring game. Overall I think it was a perfect first game that happened and it was a full house for the first game in 5 or 6 years since we’ve been here. I thought it will be much slower. It was a wicket where you could score runs but overall it got a bit slower. We’ll have to see how it plays over the next six games at home but hopefully we can score here,” Dhoni said.
Talking about CSK’s performance last night, quick-fire knocks from Devon Conway (47), Gaikwad (57), and Ambati Rayudu (27) helped Dhoni’s CSK in recording the highest score of the ongoing IPL season at their home ground in Chepauk. Dhoni also played a quick cameo of 12 runs off 3 balls, where he smashed two stunning sixes.
With the ball, Moeen Ali turned out to be the star of the game as he bagged four wickets as CSK restricted LSG to 205 for 7 in 20 overs.
WATCH DHONI GIVING WARNING TO BOWLERS:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EIFzUWZUgI8
