Aakash Chopra expressed his opinion on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) chance to qualify for the playoffs was restricted due to MS Dhoni being taken out by Yash Dayal’s slower delivery. The defending team (CSK) bore a 27-run loss against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday, May 18, and got kicked off the playoffs.
RCB setting a target of 219 is quite impressive, and CSK putting up a good fight to chase it down. Falling just short by 8 runs must have been disappointing for CSK, especially knowing they needed 201 runs to secure a spot in the playoffs. The net run rate can be a fickle factor in determining playoff berths, and it seems this time it didn’t swing in their favor.
MS Dhoni‘s dismissal often holds a significant impact on CSK’s performance, given his stature as a finisher and his ability to control the game’s tempo. Aakash Chopra highlighted it as a pivotal moment in his analysis. Dhoni’s presence alone can often buoy CSK’s chances, and his departure can sometimes lead to a shift in momentum.
MS Dhoni kept CSK live- Aakash Chopra
“MS Dhoni was there along with Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni kept them alive. Maybe this was the last time we saw Dhoni. He hit the longest six of this season – 110 meters. He also hit two fours on the leg side. If MS Dhoni hadn’t gotten out to the back-of-the-hand ball, he would have won the game (taken CSK to the playoffs),” he mentioned.
“From where he started, it didn’t seem like winning the game was possible. Not winning, you know I am talking about 201, winning the match was beyond them. Jadeja was hitting sixes off the first ball of every over. However, Yash Dayal bowled well in the last over. Only 17 runs were required. He saved them and RCB won with a decent margin and progressed,” the former Indian opener stated.
Ravindra Jadeja was joined by MS Dhoni in the middle order when CSK was pushing themselves to score 72 off 30 balls to qualify for the playoffs. The duo was able to reduce the gap to 11 runs off five deliveries just before the veteran cricketer, Dhoni was taken out by Yash Dayal’s slower ball. In the end, the left-arm seamer only gave one run in his last four balls and took RCB to the playoffs.
It seems like this game is going away from him – Aakash Chopra on Ajinkya Rahane’s knock for CSK
It seems like the early dismissals of Gaikwad and Mitchell put pressure on CSK right from the beginning of their innings. Ajinkya Rahane is known for his classical batting style, which might not always align with the demands of T20 cricket, especially in a high-pressure situation like chasing a mammoth total. Gaikwad’s and Mitchell’s early dismissal seemed to have put a pressure on Rahane as he couldn’t accelerate forward smoothly.
“Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) came and Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) was out off the first ball. Then Daryl Mitchell came and he too got out after some time. Rachin Ravindra was playing with Ajinkya Rahane. Rachin Ravindra was timing the ball. Rahane was there for some time but it seems like this game is going away from him because he is unable to accelerate like that,” the former Indian opener added.
“Then he got out and Shivam Dube’s bat wasn’t hitting the ball at all. Since he has gotten out for two consecutive zeroes, he has got no form whatsoever. He scored seven runs off 15 balls. Then Mitchell Santner, that much might wasn’t there in the batting,” Chopra remarked.
Chopra’s assessment of CSK’s bowling performance, particularly his disappointment with Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling figures, sheds light on the team’s struggles in that department during the match. Jadeja gave 40 runs in 3 overs.