IPL 2023: MS Dhoni limps off the field after RR clash, video surfaces

Hailed as the greatest finisher in the history of the Indian Premier League, MS Dhoni almost pulled off another incredible chase in Match 17 of the Indian Premier League season 16 against Rajasthan Royals. Coming in to bat with 63 needed off the last 30 balls, Dhoni played a brilliant knock of 32 off 17 balls and almost took CSK home as they eventually fell three runs short of RR’s total.

With 21 needed off the final over, the Chennai Super Kings captain smacked two sixes against Sandeep Sharma but failed to get a six off the last ball to win the game for his side. However, after the sensational innings, CSK coach Stephen Fleming revealed that Dhoni was carrying a knee injury and was batting in pain. A video of the legendary cricketer is all over the internet, where he can be seen limping off the field after the game ended.

Chennai Super Kings@ChennaiIPL

A warrior. A veteran. A champion - The One and Only! 🦁 Full post match 📹 bit.ly/3KXm2kw #CSKvRR #WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛 @msdhoni

12:41 PM · Apr 13, 2023

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Speaking of the contest, CSK won the toss and invited Rajasthan to bat first. The decision was proven right by Tushar Deshpande as he dismissed the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 10. After the fall of the first wicket, Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal stabilized the innings with their 77-run stand. Buttler scored a brilliant 52 off 36 balls while Padikkal scored 38 off 26.

Brilliant cameos from Ravichandran Ashwin (30 off 22) and Shimron Hetmyer (30* off 18) took Rajasthan to 175/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers picking 2/21 in four overs while Akash Singh and Tushar Deshpande also scalped two wickets each.

In reply, CSK also lost a wicket early in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the third over. After the early blow, Ajinkya Rahane and Devon Conway added 68 runs for the second wicket off 43 balls. However, CSK's batting suffered a collapse in the middle overs as RR spinners R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa picked up five wickets combined to leave them reeling at 113/6 after 15 overs.

Dhoni and Jadeja tried their best to take their side home with their 59-run stand off 30 balls but eventually fell four runs short of the target handing a three-run victory to Rajasthan. Ashwin was awarded Player of the Match for picking 2/25 in four overs and also scoring 30 off 22 balls.