Chennai Super Kings could not afford a sixth loss in a row this summer. Hence, the intent they displayed in their bowling and fielding clearly indicated a win against Lucknow Super Giants in the opponents backyard is a must to stay alive in the tournament, a message that haunted the boys in Yellow.
When in pursuit of 167 as a target to Chennai Super Kings breaking free from the shackles of defeat, the boys in Yellow found themselves once again in the red zone when
Vijay Shanker was given the marching orders for 9 runs with CSK on 111 runs for 5 in the 15th over needing 56 runs in 30 balls on a two paced tricky surface.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man was a familiar slogan associated many a times when Dhoni was seen walking into bat in younger player clothing almost a decade back.
But as that batting great of yore strode in once more from the shadows of a faded career by big stage self retirement, here was the effervescent M.S. Dhoni, not to be belied by age well past prime time now 43 considered over the hill in the case of others, rekindling a glorious past still sporting that suave sharp shooting look about him as he once more brought the crowd to their feet in taking Chennai Super Kings from a long 5-match defeatist drought to mounting victory from a shaky 111 for 5 after 15 overs in closing on a gap of 56 off 30 balls to thumping a Player of the Match 26 from 11, together with Shivem Dube, a see ball hit ball type, shouldering the victory thrust, solid on 43 in a typical nail biting finish with three balls to spare chasing 167 versus Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajapayee Cricket Stadium, Lucknow yesterday.
M.S. as he is fondly known thumps 26 in 11 balls whilstg Shivem Dube a see by ball hit ball type of batter played second fiddle and the yellow shirts with by 5 wickets win in a nail bitter finish with 3 balls to spare with Dube unbeaten on 43 and M.S unbeaten on 26.
Chennai Super Kings, after being given a healthy start by openers Rachin Ravindra, who made a brisk 37 and debutant Sheikh Rashid a cautious 27 stiched a 52 run partnership they made for the first wicket in 4.3 overs.
It must be stated that after the fall of wicket number 5 on 52 and Rachin Ravindra’s departure with the score on 75 , Chennai Super Kings middle order batters simply followed their new found virus in lacking intent , determination, and application till M.S. Dhoni and Shivem Dube came to their rescue.
Defending a total of 167 on Indian pitches is no easy task. The hope against hope was Chennai Super Kings to fail in their batting as they have done in their previous 5 outings , field well , grab all given opportunities including half chances and most importantly taking advantage of the two paced pitch whilst taking advantage of the spin on offer.
LSG did well in all the prerequisites stated above except Shadul Thakur bowling a deadly run leaking penultimate over of 19 runs , a spell rather forgotten forever in his illustrious4 career as one of Indias premier seam bowler in recent times.
Ravi Bishnoy 2 for 18 with his 3 over spin , Aiden Markram 1 for 25 in his 4 over off spin , and Digneshsing Rathi 1 for 23 with his mystery spin had the game under their control till over number 15.
The big question is still debated: Why Lucknow Super Giants failed in their batting effort and were restricted to 166 for 7 wickets.
The pitch was two paced, and this was exposed by LSG opener Aiden Markram when a4 delivery from Anshul Kamboj took the leading edge of his bat and was
Dismissed in the very first over caught byr Thirupathy running effort. Nicholas Poram Lbw to an inswinger he misread off Khaleel Ahmed, hence the upfront batting went astray.
Rishab Pant showed his batting class with 63. Mitch Marsh 30 , Ayush Badoni, a couple of lucky survivals for 22, and Abdul Samad made 20.
Jadeja 2 for 24 Pathirana expensive with 5 wides but scalped 2 for 48 for the winners.
LKG ARE PLACED NUMBER 4 IN THE POINTS TABLE WHILST DHONI AND HIS MEN inARE AT THE BOTTOM ON 10.
