New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets in an IPL 2025 match. MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 26 runs from 11 balls proved decisive, prompting praise from former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh.
Former Chennai Super Kings spinner commented on MS Dhoni’s altered demeanor while captaining the team and expressed his pleasure at Dhoni’s recent higher batting position. Dhoni’s previous appearances at number nine in the batting order this season had drawn criticism from some commentators.
With 56 runs needed from 30 balls, MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube guided Chennai Super Kings to a victory against LSG. Their unbeaten 57-run partnership secured the team’s second win of the season.
“MS Dhoni is Baahubali. The captain showed the world what he could do when he came out to bat higher up the order. No.9 doesn’t suit him at all. He came in the right position against the Lucknow Super Giants. He batted superbly. He scored his own runs and helped Shivam Dube as well. Dhoni has the Midas touch. He turned back the clock. The bowling changes were brilliant. Nothing changed much. He just became the captain, and everything has changed. When he is the captain, everything looks different. He bats differently, too,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
“We say this because he knows what to do. He came to bat at the right place and time, putting the pressure back on Lucknow. He scored 26 runs off 11 balls and took the pressure right off. When Dhoni takes the captaincy role, he is completely different. The team under him plays differently. Well done to CSK. Congratulations to Dhoni,” he added.
MS Dhoni achieved a significant milestone in the match against Lucknow, becoming the first wicketkeeper to record over 200 dismissals in IPL. This achievement was secured following his stumping of Ayush Badoni.
Near the end of the match, MS Dhoni’s unexpected underarm throw resulted in the run-out of Abdul Samad at the non-striker’s end.
“Even his run-out of Abdul Samad. He has the luck factor as well. The luck factor does wonders for him. When Dhoni is there, anything is possible,” said Harbhajan.
Chennai Super Kings’ victory over Lucknow Super Giants did not alter their position at the bottom of the points table; they remain there with four points from seven games.
Chennai Super Kings will play Mumbai Indians in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 20th.
