MS Dhoni's Run-out vs PBKS: First Dismissal in IPL 2024 But Yet to Lose His Wicket to a Bowler

If Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are playing, no matter which part of the country it is, it will be an ocean of yellow at the stadium. The fans have been arriving in large numbers to see defending champions in action, especially their hero, MS Dhoni. The former skipper has faced a very limited number of balls this season but whenever he has walked out with his blade in his hands, the fans in the arena have always cheered for him at the highest decibel level.

CSK vs PBKS Live Updates IPL 2024

The same was the scenario on Wednesday evening when he walked out to bat against the Punjab Kings. After Ruturaj’s gutsy knock, Dhoni provided the finishing touch with an 11-ball 14 before getting run out on the last ball of the innings. Notably, it was the first instance this season when Dhoni didn’t return unbeaten. However, he is yet to lose his wicket to a bowler.

Dhoni edged Arshdeep Singh’s low full-toss and was dropped by Harshal Patel at short third. But Patel redeemed himself by catching an ageing Dhoni well short of his crease, restricting CSK to 162/7.

MS Dhoni’s runs this season

37* vs DC

1* vs SRH

1* vs KKR

20* vs MI

28* vs LSG

4* vs LSG

5* vs SRH

14 vs PBKS

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Earlier, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad remained rock solid, scoring a half-century despite some incisive spin bowling by Punjab Kings spin duo of Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar, which restricted the five-time champions to 162 for 7.

Gaikwad smashed a 48-ball 62 even as Harpreet (2/17) managed to tie down the CSK top-order, grabbing the prized wickets of opener Ajinkya Rahane (29) and Shivam Dube (0).

Gaikwad did his best, using his timing and good array of shots against pacers Harshal Patel and Curran to reach his fifty in 44 balls. The right-hander brought up his third fifty in a row in this IPL with a well-timed six off Curran over long-on and it was also the first six in CSK innings as they took 20 runs of that over.

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A big chunk of credit should go to two Punjab spinners — Brar and Chahar — who exploited a slow track to the hilt to return with combined figures of 33 in eight overs for four wickets.

CSK made 60 runs in the last five overs as Moeen Ali (15, 9b) helped Gaikwad to add 38 runs for the fifth wicket.