IPL 2024: Dinesh Karthik explains how Dhoni's six helped RCB trump CSK to enter playoffs
The virtual knockout between RCB and CSK proved to be a thriller of a contest, with RCB ultimately going through to the playoffs by coming in clutch in the final moments.
Throughout the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, the playing conditions were characterised by overcast skies and a persistent threat of rain.
After being tasked with a target of 219, and effectively 201 to secure a playoff spot, the match appeared to be slipping away from CSK's grip. However, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni revived the chase, propelling their team to the brink of victory after recovering from 129/6 in 15 overs to needing just 17 runs off the final over, to be bowled by left-arm pacer Yash Dayal for qualification.
Also read: Is this MS Dhoni's last match? Will Dhoni announce his retirement after RCB's win over CSK in IPL 2024, Match 68?
It almost seemed within touching distance for CSK, when the legedary MS Dhoni smashed a knee-height full-toss on the leg-stump delivered by Dayal on the first delivery of the final over, which Dhoni smashed out of the ground with a massive 110-meter six, which brought the equation down to 11 off 5.
Remarkably, this turned out to be a blessing for RCB, as they were presented with a drier ball for the remaining five deliveries. The very next delivery from Dayal was a courageous back-of-the-hand one causing Dhoni to mistime his shot and sending the ball soaring into the air before Swapnil Singh managed to take a splendid catch. The next four deliveries yielded only a single run, propelling RCB into the playoffs in a remarkable reversal of fortunes.
Following the conclusion of the match, RCB's wicketkeeper-batter, Dinesh Karthik, who played a vital cameo of 14 (6) earlier, stated that the drier ball helped Dayal in executing his variations more smoothly. Notably, Dhoni was dismissed immediately after the ball was changed.
"The best thing to happen today was Dhoni hitting that six outside the ground (because) we got a new ball, which was much better (drier) to bowl with," Karthik was heard saying in the dressing room in a video posted by RCB.
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