Mumbai suffered their seventh defeat in as many matches in the Indian T20 League 2022 against Chennai. Vintage MS Dhoni was on display in the final over of the match as he scored 16 runs off the last four balls to win the match for his team. He stayed unbeaten on 28 off 13 deliveries as Chennai won the match by three wickets registering their second win of the tournament.
However, even before he came out to bat MSD left his impact on the match during Mumbai’s innings. He plotted the dismissal of Kieron Pollard with his brilliant strategic mind. Pollard came out to bat in the 14th over of the first innings and it is known to all that the West Indian loves the Chennai bowling. So, the men in yellow needed to get his wicket early to keep their stronghold in the match. He was looking in the mood to take on the bowlers as he smashed a six and a four trying to up the ante.
However, Dhoni’s brilliant ability to read a game and plot accordingly was on display as Pollard’s stay at the crease was cut short by his strategic acumen. In the 17th over of the match, Maheesh Theekshana was bowling and MSD placed Shivam Dube straight down the ground for a potential catching chance. It is a very rare fielding position in cricket, but Dhoni who is well versed with Pollard’s strength tactically placed the fielder and it soon paid its dividends.
The West Indian in search of a big shot gave an easy catch which Shivam Dube gleefully accepted. It was a vital wicket given the position of the match as his dismissal meant that Mumbai was restricted to 155 for seven in their twenty overs. The strategy from MS Dhoni grabbed the fans’ attention and they took to Twitter lauding the veteran’s ability to read the game situations and plot and tweak strategies accordingly.
What field set man , just too epic
God Dhoni 🙠pic.twitter.com/cif9bbsyu4— Sherlòck🫀 (@Valar_Dohaeeris) April 21, 2022
