Lucknow: MS Dhoni continues to be a pivotal figure for the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings. On Monday night, he demonstrated his exceptional skills both as a wicketkeeper and a batsman, leading the team to only their second victory in this IPL season by defeating Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets, thus halting LSG's attempt for a third consecutive home win.

Amidst ongoing speculation regarding his waning batting abilities, Dhoni captivated his supporters with a remarkable unbeaten performance, scoring 26 runs off just 11 balls (including four fours and one six) as CSK successfully chased down the target with three balls remaining. Lucknow Super Giants had set a modest total of 166/7 on a sluggish pitch after CSK opted to bowl first, and the Super Kings reached 168/5 in the final over.

With 56 runs needed from the last 30 deliveries, Dhoni's unbroken partnership of 57 runs for the sixth wicket with Shivam Dubey (who scored 43 off 37 balls, including three fours and two sixes) proved crucial for the team's success.

This victory was essential for CSK, who had experienced a dismal start to the season, suffering five consecutive losses for the first time in IPL history following their initial win against the Mumbai Indians. The team began strongly, but as the pitch slowed, debutants Shaik Rasheed and Rachin Ravindra contributed 52 runs in 29 balls before being dismissed in quick succession.

Rasheed was caught by Nicholas Pooran at mid-wicket off pacer Avesh Khan while attempting a slower ball, finishing with 27 runs off 19 balls (four fours). Ravindra, who scored 37 runs off 22 balls (five fours), was trapped in front by Aiden Markram.

Rahul Tripathi (9 runs off 10 balls, one four) and Ravindra Jadeja (7 runs off 11 balls) also fell quickly, succumbing to the accurate deliveries of leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Tripathi offered a return catch, while Jadeja was spectacularly caught on the mid-on boundary by Markram. Although CSK had surpassed 100 runs in 13 overs, LSG's spinners maintained their grip, with Digvesh Rathi dismissing Vijay Shanker (9 runs) and leaving CSK in a precarious position at 111/5 after 15 overs.

Aside from skipper Rishabh Pant's commendable batting display, LSG struggled after being sent in to bat,

Markram (6) attempted to play a shot on a delivery that was angled across him towards the leg side, resulting in a leading edge that soared over point, where Rahul Tripathi successfully took the catch. Pooran was dismissed leg before wicket by Anshul Kamboj after scoring eight runs.

A partnership of 50 runs for the third wicket between Pant and Mitchell Marsh helped stabilize the innings to some extent, but Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the Australian with a swift delivery. After missing the previous match due to personal matters, Marsh contributed a quick 30 runs off 25 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Jadeja also dismissed Delhi's Ayush Badoni (22 – 1x4, 2x6), who, after surviving two reviews, was stylishly stumped by MS Dhoni. Pant, who batted during the powerplay, played a commendable innings of 63 runs off 49 balls (4x4, 4x6), highlighted by a remarkable shot over the mid-wicket boundary off Matheesha Pathirana.

Despite facing challenges against left-arm spinner Noor Ahmed, who allowed only 13 runs in his spell and bowled ten dot balls over four overs, Pant remained composed. Jadeja also kept him on the defensive with his quick deliveries.

However, as the pace bowlers returned to the attack, Pant regained his rhythm and quickly reached a fifty off 42 balls, featuring four fours and three sixes. Just as he seemed poised for a significant finish, he was dismissed by Pathirana. in the last over. The pacer also snapped the wicket of Shardul Thakur on the last ball. Abdul Samad’s 11-ball 20 late in the LSG innings helped them score 45 runs in the last three overs in Pant’s company.

Read Also: Shivam Dube: Dhoni Simplified the Chase Against LSG as MS Dominated the Bowlers

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