Captain MS Dhoni was sharp and intuitive as ever

To watch big names being knocked over at the other end can be unnerving, but Gaikwad showed skills that may actually tick a lot of boxes for men looking at him as a future big-ticket purchase

Captain MS Dhoni was sharp and intuitive as ever

Shishir Hattangadi

Dad’s army Chennai Super Kings (CSK) proved mature in a game (v Mumbai Indians on Monday) that tested cricket smartness more than anything. MI, without two of their key T20 stalwarts, Hardik Pandya and the possible new India T20 skipper Rohit Sharma, appeared skeptical in their balance.

Mature Gaikwad

Batting first and losing four wickets in the power play for just 24 suggests you have dug a hole for yourselves as a batting team. But CSK keep throwing up surprises as they did with Ruturaj Gaikwad who looked mature and in control of his game as much as his temperament. To watch big names being knocked over at the other end can be unnerving, but Gaikwad showed skills that may actually tick a lot of boxes for men looking at him as a future big-ticket purchase.

His 88 off 58 balls gave CSK a sense of respectability and an opportunity to make a match of this game. MI, despite their inability to polish off the CSK innings after having them in deep trouble, would have taken 156-6 to chase. Pacers Trent Boult, Adam Milne and Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets. However, MI spinners didn’t manage to bury CSK in the hole, giving them a chance to breathe.

Also Read: Dwayne Bravo: MI toughest team, it's like final playing against them

MS Dhoni may have slowed in his hand-eye coordination with age and lack of international cricket, but the chess-playing cricket captain was sharp and intuitive as ever.

Early breakthroughs

All the captain needed during their innings were early strikes and the ever so reliable Deepak Chahar made sure CSK got a foot in the door of the MI innings.

After that, it was all about the way Dhoni maneuvered his bowlers and field placings. The newly appointed Team India mentor gave cricket tragics a lesson in captaincy. MI’s hope was Kieron Pollard. Dhoni brought on Josh Hazlewood to dismiss the dangerous Trinidadian. Using Bravo at the death caused MI to fall short by 20 runs. A comfortable win for CSK, I dare say, may have been different without the sharp mind of Dhoni.

Also Read: MS Dhoni: Ruturaj and Bravo got us more than what we expected

Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi is currently CEO of Baroda Cricket Association

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels