Vintage MS Dhoni Iconic Six- In a dramatic showdown at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) edged out Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a nail-biting two-wicket win, snapping their losing streak and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. With the match hanging in the balance in the final over, it was none other than MS Dhoni who stole the spotlight, unleashing a vintage six that not only shifted the momentum but also electrified fans with a reminder of his finishing prowess.
After electing to bat, KKR posted a competitive 179/6 in their 20 overs, with skipper Ajinkya Rahane leading from the front with a solid 48-run knock. Despite a brisk start, KKR struggled to accelerate in the middle overs as CSK’s bowlers, particularly Noor Ahmad, applied the brakes. The Afghan left-arm spinner was exceptional, finishing with figures of 4/30, breaking the back of KKR’s batting lineup and earning the Player of the Match award.
CSK’s chase was anything but smooth. They lost early wickets and slumped to 60/5, staring at another defeat. But Dewald Brevis, playing a mature and aggressive knock, breathed life back into the innings. The South African youngster smashed 52 off just 25 balls, counter-attacking fearlessly and tearing into the KKR bowling, especially during a 30-run over off Vaibhav Arora.
Just when CSK seemed to be clawing back, Brevis fell to Varun Chakaravarthy — a wicket that stirred controversy due to an aggressive send-off from the bowler, resulting in a demerit point and fine. However, the drama was far from over.
Dhoni’s Heroics Seal the Deal
CSK needed eight runs off the final over, with Andre Russell handed the ball and MS Dhoni on strike. The pressure was immense, the atmosphere tense. On the very first ball, Russell aimed a full toss at Dhoni — a mistake he would instantly regret. The CSK skipper, known for his calm under pressure, pounced on it and sent it soaring over deep mid-wicket for a towering six.
The shot drew thunderous applause and disbelief in equal measure from the Eden Gardens crowd — stunned to witness the return of “Vintage Dhoni” in such a crucial moment.
On the second delivery, Dhoni declined a single, backing himself to finish the job. It wasn’t until the third ball that he finally rotated strike, bringing debutant Anshul Kamboj to the crease. Kamboj, facing the very first ball of his IPL career in a high-pressure situation, showed nerves of steel. Under Dhoni’s watchful guidance, he calmly drove the ball to the boundary, sealing a thrilling two-wicket win for CSK with two balls to spare.
Dhoni: “We’re Thinking Ahead”
In the post-match presentation, MS Dhoni reflected on the team’s much-needed win and the broader goals for the season.
“It is only the third game we’ve won. It’s good to be on the winning side. Quite a few things have not gone our way. What is important is to be practical and identify what has gone wrong,” he said. “We have 25 players who can fill roles. I’m focusing on that — seeing who can fit where as we plan ahead, even for next year.”
Dhoni emphasized the importance of testing players not just for technical skill but also mental resilience.
“You may not always look at technique but at mental strength and game awareness. These players may not always be in the XI, but they show up in nets, in practice games. You give them a chance and see how they react.”
With this morale-boosting win, CSK keep themselves in contention — and if nothing else, fans got to relive the thrill of watching MS Dhoni finish another match in his inimitable style.
