CSK vs PK: MS Dhoni makes a surprising first appearance in IPL post 18 years of debut in T20 cricket

Dhoni has batted at No. 5 the most in his career, followed by Nos. 4 and 6.

By Sneha Sengupta On May 5, 2024

During Sunday’s IPL 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings, the legendary, MS Dhoni batted at No. 9 for the first time in his T20 career. Dhoni has batted between numbers three and seven ever since making his debut in 2006; he only recently moved to number eight during the 2023 Indian Premier League.

Dhoni’s previous dismissal in the most recent encounter against PBKS was the first occasion in IPL 2024 when he was removed by a bowler.

Even though he was supposed to bat at No. 8, he came to bat after Shardul Thakur, and Harshal Patel, the seasoned player for a golden duck, thus his time at the crease was remarkably brief.

In T20 cricket, he has also amassed the greatest run total (2602) in his career while batting at number five.

Harshal Patel’s slower ball, which sank quickly and left Dhoni absolutely taken aback, entirely caught off guard during the 19th over of the CSK innings. Fans of CSK and Dhoni were left stunned as the ball sliced through his defense and struck the off-stump.

Deceived 🤯

Reactions says it all as MS Dhoni departs to a brilliant slower one from Harshal Patel 👏

Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#TATAIPL | #PBKSvCSK | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/gYE5TqnqaY

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2024

“Wicket was on drier side. I have too much respect for him to celebrate when I get him out (on Dhoni). One of the advantages of playing a day game is that the square is quite rough. So the ball starts reversing. In my first over it was reversing. It’s all about the feel of that delivery (slower one). More you bowl the better you get. Most batters don’t pick it. Have been practicing in the nets, and when it comes out it gives you great results,” Harshal stated in excitement as he celebrated wicket feat.