In a pivotal encounter during IPL 2018 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the astute strategic decisions made by former Indian and CSK captain MS Dhoni left a lasting impression on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer, Deepak Chahar. The clash, etched in memory, saw CSK triumph over Kings XI Punjab, now rebranded as Punjab Kings (PBKS), securing a 5-wicket win in their pursuit of a 154-run target.
Recalling the match, Chahar emphasized Dhoni's tactical brilliance, specifically noting the unconventional move of the captain batting lower in the order than himself. Placed at No. 6, Chahar played a pivotal role in the victory, contributing 39 runs off 20 balls, including one four and three sixes. CSK successfully chased down the target with five balls to spare, with Dhoni making a quick 16 runs off 7 balls.
Chahar remarked, "That match stands out as the only instance when Mahi bhai [Dhoni] allowed me to bat ahead of him, and I managed to contribute with some runs. Consequently, we emerged victorious in that game." He further explained the team's strategy, highlighting the advantage of having him bat at No. 6 and Dhoni at No. 8, providing a well-balanced team dynamic.
Dhoni's calculated decision showcased the depth within CSK's batting lineup, creating a team structure that demonstrated balance and resilience. The strategic move paid off, with CSK successfully navigating challenging situations, ultimately securing a win in a crucial encounter.
In that particular match, Punjab posted a total of 153 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite losing Ambati Rayudu early in the chase, CSK, anchored by Suresh Raina's unbeaten 61 off 48 balls, managed to secure a victory. The surprise element was Dhoni's willingness to let pinch-hitters like Harbhajan Singh and Deepak Chahar bat ahead of him, a move that proved instrumental in the team's success.
Chahar acknowledged the consistent depth in CSK's batting lineup, emphasizing its stability in challenging circumstances. He pointed to an instance from IPL 2021 when CSK, facing a daunting situation at 24 for 4 in the powerplay against Mumbai Indians, managed to post a competitive total of 156 for 6, securing a 20-run victory.
Sharing the experience, Chahar said, "I'll share an instance from a match. It was the initial game in Dubai post-Covid, facing Mumbai Indians. We found ourselves at 40 for 4 [24 for 4], and despite that, we managed to accumulate 160 runs." He credited players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja, who played crucial roles in the team's recovery, showcasing the depth in CSK's batting lineup.
Chahar concluded by highlighting the uniqueness of CSK's batting depth, stating, "Rutu [Ruturaj Gaikwad] and Jadeja were in action, beginning their aggressive play from the 14th over. Other teams won't follow suit, as they lack such depth in their batting." This strategic depth and resilience ultimately propelled CSK to clinch the IPL title in that season, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final and solidifying their reputation as one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, setting the stage for their campaign in IPL2024.
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