Cricket

Dhoni considers return after leading Chennai to fifth IPL crown

Indian cricket celebrity M.S. Dhoni stated he’ll look to return for the subsequent Indian Premier League (IPL) season after he led Chennai Super Kings to a record-equalling fifth title over Gujarat Titans in what many believed to be his final match.

Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and 4 off the ultimate two balls as Chennai chased down their revised goal of 171 in 15 overs with 5 wickets to spare in a rain-hit remaining which went previous 1.30 am native time Tuesday on a reserve day in Ahmedabad following a washout on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Not sufficient alternatives: SA gamers ignored by IPL groups

New Zealand’s Devon Conway led the chase along with his 25-ball 47 earlier than cameos from Ajinkya Rahane (27) and Shivam Dube, who hit an unbeaten 32, set the stage for Jadeja’s heroics.

Needing 13 off the ultimate over, Mohit Sharma bowled 4 good balls earlier than Jadeja hit the successful runs to set off wild celebrations on the world’s largest cricket stadium.

“This is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received all over. The easy thing would be to walk away from here, but the harder thing would be working hard for nine months and try to play another IPL,” stated the 41-year-old Dhoni.

“It would be a gift from me, won’t be easy on the body. You do get emotional, the first game at CSK everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were full of water, I needed to take some time off in the dugout.”

Chennai gained the title for the fifth time to go stage with Mumbai Indians.

Dhoni saved attracting enormous crowds throughout venues this season and over 80,000 followers cheered the veteran, who had just lately stated he would take a name on his future later this yr, within the remaining.

Playing his 250th Indian Premier League match, Dhoni received out for a first-ball duck as he went again to a shocked silence, however he had the final snort in his tenth look within the remaining as Chennai captain.

‘Win together, lose together’

Ambati Rayudu additionally hit a key 19 off eight balls in his final match after he introduced his retirement forward of the ultimate.

Rain compelled gamers off the bottom when Chennai had been 4 with out loss after three balls of their innings.

The downpour lasted for about quarter-hour however covers got here off from one of many pitches which received damp and the groundstaff labored for over two hours to get the sphere prepared for play.

Sai Sudharsan smashed 96 off 47 balls to information Gujarat, a crew which gained the crown of their debut season final yr within the T20 competitors and topped the desk on this version, to 214-4.

“I think we tick a lot of boxes as a team,” stated captain Hardik Pandya. 

“We play with a lot of heart, really proud of the way we kept fighting. We have a motto – we win together, we lose together.”

ALSO READ: Stars and strugglers: SA gamers blow cold and warm in IPL

In-form Gujarat opener Shubman Gill hit a 20-ball 39 and was named most beneficial participant, incomes the orange cap because the leading batsman with 890 runs.

Gujarat tempo spearhead Mohammed Shami received the purple cap because the leading bowler for his 28 wickets with teammates Sharma and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan one behind on 27 every.

Gill, contemporary from his third century this season, was dropped on three when Deepak Chahar spilled a straightforward catch off quick bowler Tushar Deshpande.

The opener smashed Deshpande for 3 straight boundaries within the subsequent over and saved up the assault with common hits to the fence earlier than Dhoni’s lightning fast glovework despatched again the batsman, stumped off Jadeja.

Fellow opener Wriddhiman Saha made 54 and placed on 64 runs with Sudharsan, who took cost after his associate’s departure.


Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button