Formrer West Indies captain Chris Gayle feels MS Dhoni might not play all the games for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024 after stepping down as captain on the eve of their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday. CSK defeated RCB in the IPL 2024 opener by six wickets to get their title defense underway in style at the Chepauk. Dhoni played under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s leadership, but did not get the chance to bat. After CSK’s win over RCB, Gayle said Dhoni might take a break between the tournament, but backed the veteran to do well in the tournament.
“He (MS Dhoni) might not play all games. There may be a little break in between for him. that’s why the decision. But MSD will go well, don’t worry about that,” Gayle said on Jio Cinema.
Dhoni looked sharp behind the stumps, affecting a run out on the final ball of RCB’s innings.
He didn’t get the chance to bat though as CSK chased down 174 with eight balls to spare.
Recapping the match, RCB opted to bat and at one point, was reduced to 78/5, despite a brisk start by skipper Faf (35 in 23 balls, with eight fours). Virat Kohli had a disappointing outing with the bat, scoring 21 in 20 balls with a six. Anuj Rawat (48 in 25 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Dinesh Karthik (38* in 26 balls, with three fours and two sixes). Mustafizur (4/29) was the pick of the bowlers for CSK. RCB scored 173/6 in 20 overs.
In the run chase of 174 runs, Rachin Ravindra (37 in 15 balls, with three fours and three sixes) provided a brisk start to CSK. RCB managed to take some quick and crucial wickets, but Shivam Dube (34* in 28 balls, with four boundaries and six) and Ravindra Jadeja (25* in 17 balls, with a six) guided the defending champions to a six-wicket win with eight balls to spare.
Gaikwad said his team was in total control from the start and believed they played really well in the end.
“Total control, I would say, right from the start (apart) from 2-3 overs. Would have loved 10-15 runs less but I think they played really well towards the end. I feel that was a big turning point to get Maxwell and Faf out. We got three quick wickets and it helped us control the next overs, that was the real turning point,” Gaikwad said after his first win as CSK skipper.
(With ANI Inputs)
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