M.S. Dhoni was hailed as a digital superhero Tuesday after the 41-year-old’s tactical acumen, cool manner and a essential stumping helped Chennai Super Kings win a record-equalling fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
Chennai edged out 2022 champions Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets in a last-ball thriller that began on Monday and ended previous 1:30am Tuesday.
Fans of Dhoni and his group celebrated on the streets all evening.
The remaining in Ahmedabad was performed on the reserve day after a washout on Sunday and, after extra moist climate, Chennai chased down a rain-revised goal of 171 in 15 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja scored 10 runs off the ultimate two balls in entrance of 80,000 followers on the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Former India skipper Dhoni, who appears set to play on regardless of earlier recommendations that this is likely to be his final hurrah, was out first ball in Chennai’s reply.
READ MORE: Dhoni considers return after main Chennai to fifth IPL crown
But the wicketkeeper-batsman additionally pulled off a masterful stumping of Gujarat’s hazard man Shubman Gill and his expertise, calm and sheer presence helped see Chennai house.
He has now equalled Rohit Sharma’s report of 5 titles as captain — Rohit for Mumbai Indians — however pundits imagine Dhoni is in a league of his personal.
“If you are comparing on titles you have got a discussion,” former Australia batsman and ex-IPL coach Tom Moody stated on ESPNCricinfo.
“But if you are talking about captaincy, there is no grand final.”
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar agreed, saying: “This kind of leadership will rarely be seen.”
Cool, calm, sensible
Dhoni is India’s most profitable Test captain and has had a glittering profession that included profitable two World Cups.
He retired from worldwide obligation in 2020 however continued with the IPL, albeit with a dangerous knee and a few lacklustre batting performances this time period.
Having beforehand hinted this is likely to be his final IPL, he recommended after the ultimate that he’ll return for one extra crack in 2024.
“The way (fans have) shown their love and affection, I think that’s something I need to do for them,” he stated.
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Rain halted play on Monday as a temporary however torrential downpour left one of the aspect pitches soaked. Ground employees wanted over two hours to get the sport restarted after midnight.
Fans stored affected person for the second straight day, with chants of “Dhoni, Dhoni” reverberating via the evening air, earlier than Jadeja introduced the home down with a six and 4 to seal victory.
Videos of “Captain Cool” through the nerve-jangling remaining moments confirmed him by some means conserving calm — outwardly a minimum of.
Celebrating title
It appeared that he closed his eyes for the final ball when Jadeja wanted a boundary to win.
Dhoni then hugged Jadeja and lifted him off his toes.
“As calm as he is and cool as he is, (still) it means a lot,” Chennai coach Stephen Fleming advised reporters.
“The franchise, as we all know, could be very pricey to his coronary heart and he offers a lot to it.
“This stage of his career to win another IPL and lead a team like he has, I think it is great credit to him,” Fleming stated.
Dhoni joined Chennai as captain from the inaugural version and has beforehand led them to titles in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021.
“He is an amazing human being really. The biggest strength he has got is this ability to take pressure off players, particularly young players,” Chennai batting coach Mike Hussey stated.
“He is cool, calm and collected — like we all know — and tactically very smart.”
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