Legendary former India captain MS Dhoni finally came out to bat in the Indian Premier League 2024. Dhoni walked out to bat at No. 8 in the 17th over of the match against Delhi on Sunday, 31 March at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag.
Dhoni was welcomed by a short ball from Mukesh Kumar which he pulled away for a four through deep square leg. Mukesh could have bagged MS Dhoni’s wicket in the second ball, but Khalil Ahmed failed to bag a simple catch at point. The crowd went berserk as MS Dhoni hit the final ball of the same over for a boundary as well, slapping the ball through the covers.
The stadium went berserk after when Dhoni walked out to bat swinging the bat in a circular motion on his right. The decibel levels shot through the roof as the former Chennai captain connected his first ball for four. Dhoni continued his brilliance after getting dropped by Khalil and smashed a few shots against a Delhi bowling attack, who were superb for the better part of the night.
DHONI SMASHES NORTJE
MS Dhoni was in an emphatic mood as he smashed Anrich Nortje for 20 runs in the final over of the match. Dhoni remained not out at 37 off just 17 balls. Dhoni denied strike to Jadeja in the final two overs of the game and proceeded to get CSK as close to the 192-run target as he could. At the end of the game, Dhoni had hit 3 sixes and 4 boundaries to his name in a vintage knock that made him one of the most loved cricketers of all time.
MS DHONI HANDS CAPTAINCY TO GAIKWAD
Ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League’s 2024 season, MS Dhoni stepped down from his captaincy role at Chennai Super Kings. This decision marked the second time Dhoni has relinquished his leadership role within the franchise, paving the way for a new era under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, a promising Indian opener who has shown considerable talent and leadership potential.
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The announcement of Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain of CSK for IPL 2024 came as a significant moment for the franchise. Gaikwad, taking over from a cricketing legend like Dhoni, signifies a generational shift and the trust placed in the young talent to lead the team into the future.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dhoni has been known for his calm demeanour, exceptional leadership qualities, and ability to handle both success and failure with grace. His decision to step down reflects his understanding of the game and his desire to ensure the continued success of CSK by nurturing new leadership while still contributing as a player.
Dhoni’s decision to step down from captaincy, therefore, is not an end but a new chapter in his storied career, one that highlights his strategic acumen and his unwavering commitment to the success of Chennai Super Kings.
