As Chennai Super Kings entered their third clash of the Indian Premier League 2021, they were pitted against the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium. After winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals put Chennai Super Kings to bat.
Once again the youngster, Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to live up to the expectations which were built around him in the preceding edition of the tournament. Mustafizur Rahman managed to get the better of the youngster which was followed by another peach from Chris Morris who picked up the crucial scalp of Faf Du Plessis.
Despite an initial plugging of the glaring leaks in the Chennai batting line-up, Suresh Raina and Moeen Ali managed to post an initial bout of resistance before Rahul Tewatia managed to remove a set of Moeen Ali.
Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja continued with their overhaul despite the impact of the same seemed bleak in front of some exciting bowling from the Rajasthan Royals. Rayudu was off to a flyer that was snuffed out midway, thanks to a gem from Chetan Sakariya. In very short succession he managed to send Suresh Raina on a long walk of shame to the pavilion as Chris Morris pouched a significant take to dismiss a lurking cataclysm.
In walked their skipper Dhoni with the hope of brewing a storm towards the end of the innings. A very slow start to his knock already started leaving the Chennai fans restless. Despite a frenetic swing of his blade on a couple of occasions, his blade seemed nowhere close to the cherry that could have created a salient impact.
A young Sakariya who already impressed in the season opener came in for his final over. After being hammered for a boundary in the very first delivery, he didn’t delay in exacting revenge from the former Indian captain. A slower delivery angling away from the off-stump left Dhoni tempted to swing his bat in the most ecstatic fashion and in the process he ended up holing out to Jos Buttler at covers.
Twitter couldn’t really accept this new incarnation of MS who has slowed down considerably over the last couple of years. This is what Twitter had to say after being grossed out from Dhoni’s slow knock.
Dhoni should bat at no.11 for @ChennaiIPL @StarSportsIndia #AskTheExperts #CSK #Dhoni
— Vivek Sharma (@_SweezyV) April 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/imVKohliOne8/status/1384170169962950665
https://twitter.com/hitmanfan_abhi/status/1384170277609762817
Raina and Dhoni completely sucked the life out of the game.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) April 19, 2021
Sensible knock uh daww…? pic.twitter.com/k8dnfk5qA0
— தோனியின் பட்டறை? (@Dhoni_workshop) April 19, 2021
No One Can Play at 105 Strike Rate In Death Overs Unless His Name Is Lord Dhoni ? pic.twitter.com/WI9gLvUk1D
— ` (@KuskiOffl) April 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/Ajinkya_1505/status/1384172379912376322
#Dhoni fans crying bcoz they can’t blame Jadhav for Dhonis Test Innings #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/lehxIvaYyz
— Basava Maasti (@BasavaMaasti) April 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/MSDIAN1306/status/1384173410532478981
These self-proclaimed Mahirat fans are very dangerous to believe. Their true identity comes out when they get frustrated https://t.co/v69gToSo6t
— Sai Krishna? (@SaiKingkohli) April 19, 2021
