IPL 2023: “Last phase of my career, important to enjoy it”- MS Dhoni after CSK’s win over SRH in Chennai

MS Dhoni-led CSK registered a comfortable 7-wicket win over SRH in Chennai.

The 29th match of the IPL 2023 saw Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 21, 2023. Before this encounter, CSK had won 3 out of their five matches and SRH only had 2 wins out of their five and was placed 9th on the IPL 2023 points table.

MS Dhoni had the luck of the coin and chose to bowl first. Both the teams decided to play with the same playing XIs as their last game. While the start was decent with Harry Brook falling for 18 and after a short partnership, Abhishek Sharma fell for 34 runs to Jadeja, who also dismissed Rahul Tripathi for a run-a-ball 21.

Then the CSK bowlers tightened the screws on the SRH batting with Ravindra Jadeja taking 3/22. In the end, the Aiden Markram-led side finished on 134/7 in 20 overs.

In reply, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad gave CSK a flying start adding 87 runs for the first wicket in 11 overs. Ruturaj was run out unfortunately for 35 in 30 balls, while Conway continued the assault at the other end.

CSK won the game quite comfortably with Conway remaining unbeaten on 77 in 57 balls with 12 fours and 1 six and took CSK to a 7-wicket win with 8 balls to spare.

After the match, speaking to commentators, SRH captain Aiden Markram said: “Disappointed again, never nice to lose. Not good with the bat, couldn’t build partnerships and then you struggle to put a good total. We certainly thought this wasn’t a 130 wicket, it was more around 160. Partnerships weren’t there, we couldn’t build momentum and credit to them for the way they bowled.

(On CSK spinners) We knew they’d play a huge role, each person had the plan to counter them - you can either take them down or rotate the strike and build partnerships. We had the plans but unfortunately couldn’t execute them. It is about taking on the bowlers in the powerplay, we need to stick to our aggressive approach. We have to look in and see how to get better with the bat, one or two guys need to put their hands up with the bat. Very pleased with the effort from our bowling group.”

The winning captain MS Dhoni spoke to Harsha Bhogle in the post-match presentation.

He said: “Whatever is said and done, last phase of my career, important to enjoy it. It feels good to be here. They have given a lot of love and affection. They always stay late to listen to me. You need time to pick his action (Pathirana). We have seen with Malinga - someone who has awkward action and who is very consistent with line and length - it's difficult to score off him. I was hesitant to bat second. Had the feeling there won't be much dew.

Overall, the middle overs were the setup. Fast bowlers bowled very well in the last few overs. I always tell them that the first preference of field setting is with you. Still, they didn't give me the best catch. I felt it was a fantastic catch. A long time back I still remember one game - Rahul Dravid was keeping and he caught one like that. Definitely old, can't shy away from that.”

Ravindra Jadeja was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant 3/22.

He said: “Coming to Chennai, looking at the wicket gives me a lot of happiness. You know it's going to turn. I had in my mind to not bowl too full. Important to keep wicket to wicket. CSK fans always support us, no matter we win or lose.”

CSK will next face KKR in Kolkata on Sunday and SRH will face off against DC at home on Monday April 24.