Lucknow: There are many who think MS Dhoni might have overstayed his welcome in the IPL, and at 43, his natural decline seems to be affecting the five-time champions. Even though the Chennai Super Kings are usually a composed team, they’ve had a tough time explaining their series of losses this season.

However, Monday night against the Lucknow Super Giants was a different story. Dhoni’s leadership is all about staying calm, and with regular captain Ruturaj Gaekwad sidelined due to injury, Dhoni stepped up and led the team to just their second win in seven matches. While they’re sitting at the bottom of the 10-team table, even a single win might not be enough, but CSK fans can still hold onto the hope that their hero can conjure up some magic in the race for a playoff spot.

While quick running between the wickets might not be his strong suit anymore and his reflexes have dulled, Dhoni’s ability to read a chase remains sharp. This skill ultimately guided the team to a five-wicket victory with three balls left against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

His strategic bowling management was evident as LSG batted. The quick adjustments in the field after Khaleel Ahmed conceded a boundary, along with the effective use of spinners Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja, showcased that he’s still a clever leader. His patient yet strategic batting, even when the required run rate climbed above 11, shifted the momentum firmly in CSK’s favor by the end.

“Feeling blessed and a bit overwhelmed,” Dhoni quickly responded as a wave of yellow from nearly 45,000 fans celebrated the victory. They had shown up despite concerns about his fitness, especially after witnessing him jog with team physio Tommy Simsek just a day prior to the match.

Throughout most of Sunday, he was seen stretching and lying on the ground, only facing spinners during practice. However, Dhoni was well aware of how the pitch would play, which influenced his decision to bowl first. He effectively rotated spinners Noor and Jadeja after pacers Khaleel and Anshul Kamboj took out Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran back-to-back.

When Dhoni came to bat alongside Shivam Dubey, CSK needed 56 runs off 30 balls. With everyone watching to see how Dhoni, who had struggled with the bat in the previous game, would perform, he remained composed. He let Avesh Khan’s first ball go by, then hit the next two for four runs each.

In the following over, Dhoni launched a six over square leg off Shardul Thakur, finishing the swing with one hand. He also managed another four off Thakur in the 19th over. Dhoni’s quickfire 26 runs off 11 balls complemented Dubey’s 43 runs off 37 balls.

“It's great to win a game. Unfortunately, things haven't been going our way lately... It was a challenging match, but I'm happy to come out on top; hopefully, this gives us some momentum,” he shared after the game.

Like many captains this IPL season, Dhoni expressed his dissatisfaction with the home pitch, but he wasn't blaming the grounds crew. “As a batting unit, we weren’t getting the right kind of starts... perhaps it’s due to the Chennai wicket... maybe we’ll perform better on more favorable pitches, which would boost the batters' confidence,” he mentioned.

“We need to have more bowlers in the first six overs; we were relying too heavily on Ash (Ashwin) to bowl two overs during that time... so we made adjustments to include more bowlers early on... our bowling unit has done well, and we can improve our batting as well. Shaik Rasheed (the 20-year-old opener) played really well; he’s been with us for a few years, and we’ve noticed his growth. This year, he’s been impressive in the nets... he has the talent to hit authentic shots and take charge...” Rasheed scored 27 and partnered with Rachin Ravindra (who made 37) to put together a solid 52-run opening stand while chasing 167 for the win.

CSK's bowling coach Eric Simmons praised Dhoni's impact on the team.

“His influence has always been present, even when he wasn’t the captain. His bond with Rutu (Gaikwad, the current captain) is crucial. His connection with (coach) Fleming is also vital. He has strong relationships with all the players. It’s not just about teaching technical skills; it’s the calmness he brings to the game—that’s how he guides you in playing,” the South African remarked.

Read Also: Dhiraj Lands Just Before Event, Clinches Two Medals at Archery World Cup

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!