MS Dhoni’s knock put MI under psychological pressure, says CSK coach Eric Simons

CSK bowling coach Eric Simons has said that MS Dhoni’s quickfire knock affected Mumbai Indians psychologically during the IPL 2024 match on Sunday, April 14 at the Wankhede Stadium. Coming in to bat in the last over, the veteran Dhoni took no time to settle down and helped CSK post a big score of 206 for 4 on the board after 20 overs as well. Dhoni started his knock with 3 huge sixes off Hardik Pandya, after which he finished off with a quick double as well.

However, MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 20 off 4 balls as CSK finished their innings at 206 for 4 as well. He also became the first Indian player to hit 3 sixes back-to-back in the first 3 balls of an IPL innings. Apart from that, MS Dhoni also became the 2nd batter after Suresh Raina to score 5000 runs for CSK as well. And, Simons believed that MI were jolted badly when they were unable to restrict Chennai Super Kings under 200.

MS Dhoni played a quickfire knock vs MI

“Such an important thing is the psychological pressure you put an opposition in when you go into the break. You go to the changeroom and you have an over like that, it gives you massive momentum. They were looking to restrict us under 200 and suddenly they were facing 2006 with an over like that. MS Dhoni continues to amaze us,” Simons said in the post-match press conference.

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He again shared, “To go out there and hit the first ball like that for six and continue the way he did was exceptional. He has been batting exceptionally well in the nets all the way through, pre-season and into the tournament. It was just another unbelievable MS Dhoni moment.”

However, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan got off to a flying start, but Matheesha Pathirana dismantled the MI batting line up and Chennai Super Kings won the match by 20 runs as well. Simons also said that CSK used Dhoni as a “batting template” to prepare well for bowling at the death as well.

CSK are at third place in the points table

“Dhoni is one of the most incredible cricketers I have come across. Just the way he goes about it, calmness at the wicket. We use him as a batting template when we are bowling at the death because he is so good at it. We can test out our theories against him, and we know that we are going to do well,” Simons further added.

Staying at third in the IPL 2024 points table, CSK will next play against KL Rahul’s Lucknow on April 19 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow as well.