Resilient Dhoni demolishes Bangalore

Chennai skipper leads team to eight-wicket victory.

Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni smashed four boundaries coupled with three sixes to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets in an Indian Premier League match played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

Chennai were chasing a mediocre target of 154 set by Bangalore when Dwayne Smith and Faf du Plessis opened their innings. Smith left the crease after scoring 34 off 17 deliveries after Ravi Rampaul accounted for him in the fifth over of the match.

Suresh Raina walked in to assist Du Plessis, but he could only muster up run-a-ball 18 when Yuvraj Singh dodged his defences and Yogesh Takawale stumped him.

Dhoni then stepped in and smashed Bangalore bowlers all over the park for his 28-ball 49. He showed signs of pain in his ankle during the innings, but after collecting the man-of-the-match award, he claimed that it hadn’t caused him much hindrance.

”It is pretty alright as of now,” said Dhoni. “During the morning, it will be properly addressed as to how it is. Still I was running properly, even if it was a bit difficult.”

Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis supported him with his 43-ball 54. He scored three boundaries and three sixes on his way to a half-century.

Earlier, Bangalore were sent in to bat first and courtesy Virat Kohli’s marvel, they were able to post a competitive total of 154. Kohli smashed five maximums and two boundaries en route to his 49-ball 73. No other batsman was able to make his mark as the next best scorer was Singh with his 25 off 24 deliveries.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2014.

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