MS Dhoni, the legendary wicket-keeper batter, showcased his explosive power in the final over of Chennai Super Kings’ innings against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 match on Wednesday. With just two overs remaining, Dhoni stepped up to the plate and smashed a massive six over sweeper cover off Arshdeep Singh’s low full-toss. This remarkable feat marked Dhoni’s 66th six in the final over of an IPL innings, extending his record in this category. Kieron Pollard, his closest competitor, stands at a distant second with 33 sixes.
Chennai Super Kings’ innings began with a solid opening partnership between skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane, who added 61 runs for the first wicket. However, the introduction of Punjab Kings’ spinners after the Power Play slowed down the CSK innings. Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar exploited the sluggish Chepauk pitch, claiming the wickets of Rahane, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Gaikwad remained resilient, reaching his fifty in 44 balls and contributing 62 runs to the team’s total. Moeen Ali provided support in the latter stages, helping CSK add 38 runs for the fifth wicket. Despite their efforts, Chennai could only post a modest 162 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.
Punjab Kings’ bowlers, particularly Brar and Chahar, deserve credit for their economical spells. They combined for eight overs, conceding only 33 runs and taking four wickets. Their ability to control the run rate and restrict boundaries proved crucial in limiting CSK’s scoring.
