CSK bowling coach Eric Simons said that MS Dhoni’s knock affected MI psychologically during the IPL 2024 match on Sunday, April 14 at the Wankhede Stadium. Coming in to bat in the last over, the 42-year-old Dhoni took no time to settle down and helped Chennai post a big score of 206 for 4 on the board. The veteran started his knock with 3 huge sixes off Hardik Pandya, after which he finished off with a quick double.
Dhoni scored an unbeaten 20 off 4 balls as CSK finished their innings at 206 for 4. He also became the first Indian to hit 3 sixes in a row in the first 3 balls of an IPL innings. Apart from that, Dhoni also became the 2nd batter after Suresh Raina to score 5000 runs for CSK. Simons said that MI were jolted badly when they were unable to restrict Chennai to a score of under 200.
“Such an important thing is the psychological pressure you put an opposition in when you go into the break. You go to the changeroom and you have an over like that, it gives you massive momentum. They were looking to restrict us under 200 and suddenly they were facing 2006 with an over like that. MS Dhoni continues to amaze us,” Simons said in the post-match press conference.
“To go out there and hit the first ball like that for six and continue the way he did was exceptional. He has been batting exceptionally well in the nets all the way through, pre-season and into the tournament. It was just another unbelievable MS Dhoni moment.”
“Dhoni is one of the most incredible cricketers I have come across. Just the way he goes about it, calmness at the wicket. We use him as a batting template when we are bowling at the death because he is so good at it. We can test out our theories against him, and we know that we are going to do well,” Simons added.
