IPL 2024: ‘Wasn’t it beautiful’ - CSK coach Fleming hails MS Dhoni’s one-handed six

Delhi Capitals might have won their first game of IPL 2024, but the talk of the town has been MS Dhoni’s unbeaten innings of 37 runs from 16 balls that included three sixes and four fours. Although his exploits came a bit too late for the CSK team as itlost the match by 20 runs, the fans cherished Dhoni’s brief stay at the crease as he entertained all with his vintage shot-making. Even CSK coach Stephen Fleming hailed MS’ knock, pointing out his one-handed six off Anrich Nortje in the last over to be the best of the day.

For the first time this season, Dhoni came out to bat, but at number eight, when CSK was almost out of the chase. Despite having a bleak chance of winning their third game on the trot, Dhoni went bonkers from ball one, smashing Mukesh Kumar for a four off a pull to begin with.

He then took on Khaleel Ahmed in the next over, slamming him for a four and a six before Kumar returned to bowl a brilliant penultimate over to put DC in the winning position. However, with over 40 needed off the last over, Dhoni took on DC seamer Nortje, hitting him for 20 runs, including two sixes and as many fours. His one-handed six to deep mid-wicket was perhaps the shot of the day.

MS Dhoni hadundergone aknee surgery ahead of this season, and per Fleming, hetrained well and looked in good form while rehabbing.

"It was beautiful, wasn't it? And even the one-handed one over midwicket. He has been playing incredibly well in the pre-season," Fleming said at his post-match press conference.

"He's coming back from quite a serious operation. He has been rehabbing well, and his batting has been superb. And that performance gave a positive vibe towards the end of a tough day. So, to get to within 20 [runs] is important run-rate-wise, and the way he played was spectacular,” he added.

DC opens account in Vizag

Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals team opened their account in IPL 2024 by beating table-toppers CSK in their second home venue in Vizag on Sunday. Prithvi Shaw’s inclusion in the XI turned out to be massive as he, along with David Warner, got Delhi off to a flyer. Pant scored his maiden fifty this season to propel DC to 191 for five in the first innings.

Chennai lost openers early but Rahane and Mitchell stitched a 68-run stand for the third wicket to keep them alive in the chase. However, a flurry of wickets at the wrong time for CSK saw DC take advantage and walk away with a win eventually.