IPL 10: MS Dhoni unleashes the beast mode against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1

The crowds at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai suddenly found themselves in a false position. Their loyalties seemed to be dwindling as MS Dhoni arrived at the crease to bat in the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 10. The table toppers Mumbai Indians locked horns with the Rising Pune Supergiant in the first match of the playoffs. As it turned out to be, it was a Dhoni special that took RPS to a decent total in the important fixture.

Some brilliant spell of spin bowling from youngster Washington Sundar was backed up by economical spells from other bowlers as Mumbai Indians fell short by 20 runs on the day. While the talk has been about RPS’s maiden appearance in the tournament finals, there has been an equal, it not more, talk about the former skipper MS Dhoni. Dhoni oozed power as he unleashed the beast mode on the day.

Batting first, RPS had a horrendous start to their innings. They lost the wickets of Steve Smith and Rahul Tripathi cheaply. Fifties from Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary steadied the ship for the Supergiant but the flow of runs could never find the kind of acceleration that it needed on the sluggish track at Wankhede. Dhoni, in his initial bit of stay at the crease, looked ineffective too. However, what followed was absolute carnage.

No boundaries, just sixes!

During his stay at the crease, MS Dhoni hit 5 humongous sixes. He finished with an unbeaten 40 off just 26 balls to help RPS post 162/4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Here is how the six-hitting machine got to his business on the day.

Six #1 – It was in the 15th over when Dhoni hit his first six of the day. Karn Sharma bowled a sliding delivery going down the leg. Dhoni kept his composure and used his bottom hand to maximum effect to power it over long on.

Six #2 – In the penultimate over, the former RPS skipper took special liking to Mitch McClenaghan. He clobbered him for two maximums in the over. It was on the fourth delivery when McClenaghan bowled a length delivery to him. Dhoni stayed on the back foot to power hit over deep midwicket.

Six #3 – On the last delivery of the very same over of the Kiwi pacer, Dhoni hit one straight over the long off fence.

Six #4 – In the final over, India’s best death bowler Jasprit Bumrah was at the receiving end. He bowled a shortish delivery and MS Dhoni cleared out his front leg. He hammered one over the covers for a maximum.

Six #5 – On the 4th delivery of the final over, the good length delivery from Bumrah saw MSD go down the ground for his 5th six of the match.

Watch the six hitting display of MS Dhoni here.