Captain Cool Strikes Again: Dhoni’s Late Six, Tactical Genius Down KKR

By Kavya Jain 08 May 2025, 08:03 IST

Dhoni’s Last-Over Heroics Seal Win vs KKR

Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders, almost blowing the defending champions’ hopes of making the playoffs. CSK chased down the target of 180 and won the match by two wickets.

On Wednesday, CSK registered their third win of the season against KKR in a dramatic run chase down till the last over. Chasing the total of 180, CSK needed 8 runs from the final over when MS Dhoni took charge and faced Andre Russell to win the match.

The Final Over

For the first ball of the 20th over, Russell bowled a low full toss on off stump, and Dhoni sent it over mid-wicket for a six. Dhoni refused a single on the next delivery. The third ball went into the blackhole middle and leg by Russell, and Dhoni hit towards extra cover and took the run. With the scores now tied, it was the youngster Anshul Kamboj on strike.

Dhoni walked up to Kamboj and had a long chat with him, seemingly giving him advice on how to tackle Russell’s bowling. Kamboj hit a calm lofted shot down the ground for a four to finish the chase. Dhoni went smiling to Kamboj as they pulled off another run chase in the final over.

After losing five wickets early in the match, Dewald Brevis smashed a 22-ball century and turned CSK’s game around. He scored 52 off 25, including a 30-run over off Vaibhav Arora.

Earlier in the game, CSK youngster Urvil Patel blazed 31 off 11 after losing their opener, Ayush Mhatre. Brevis and Dube formed a partnership of 67 runs, leaving Dhoni to finish the game.

MS Dhoni Speaks

“There were a few things that did not go our way. You could get emotional about it, talk about the pride factor, but you have to be practical about it,” Dhoni said after the game.

“We are out of the tournament, so you give them a chance, see how they react. It is the approach, the mental toughness that you want to check,” he added, underlining CSK’s focus on bench strength and transition.

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