MS Dhoni’s side gave the fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium much to rejoice on Friday night, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday dropped a hint that he could be playing in his last Indian Premier League season, saying “it’s the last phase of my career”. Dhoni’s side gave the fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium much to rejoice on Friday night, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets, with New Zealand cricketer Devon Conway scoring his third half-century of this IPL season and Ravindra Jadeja claiming three crucial wickets.
Chasing 134/7, CSK scored the winning runs with eight balls to spare with Conway scoring an unbeaten 57-ball 77 and sharing an 87-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad (35) for the opening wicket.
Overcome by the huge roar and support of the crowd when he came out of the dugout after his team won the match, Dhoni said, “All said and done, it’s the last phase of my career, however long I play.
“After two years, the fans have had the opportunity to come here and watch, feels good to be here. Crowd has given us a lot of love and affection,” said Dhoni after the match.
Dhoni was all praise for young Sri Lankan pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who bowled four superb overs and grabbed two wickets, even though he was a little expensive, conceding 42 runs.
“Not getting enough chances to bat, but no complaints. I was hesitant to bat second because I had that feeling there won’t be a lot of dew. When there are chances of dew, you have to bat second.
“Spinners once they came in, bowled a very good length. Fast bowlers once they came back, especially Pathirana, bowled superbly,” added Dhoni.
Conway said CSK were trying to perfect a winning template after yet another dominating display.
Conway, who turned the match into a no contest with his unbeaten half-ton, added that the below-par score of 134 set by SRH made the home team take fewer risks while chasing.
Though CSK completed the task in 18.4 overs, they could have finished the job much earlier but they chose caution over aggression at the M Chidambaram Stadium.