Cricket

Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Varun Aaron have sparked speculation about the potential inclusion of legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni in India's T20 World Cup squad. Despite Dhoni's international retirement nearly five years ago, his impressive form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has reignited the debate.Aaron, speaking to Star Sports, suggested that Dhoni could be a "wildcard entry" in the squad, labeling it as "the wildest card." Pathan echoed the sentiment, stating that if Dhoni expressed a desire to play in the T20 World Cup, "no one will deny him that chance."Former India opener Virender Sehwag has also highlighted Dhoni's exceptional form in the IPL. "MS Dhoni has a strike-rate of over 250 and doesn't have an average because he hasn't been dismissed yet," Sehwag remarked on Cricbuzz.However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has acknowledged the challenges of persuading Dhoni to return to competitive cricket. "It will be hard to convince MS, although he is coming to the US, to do something else. He is into golf now," Sharma said.In IPL 2024, Dhoni has scored 91 runs off just 35 balls in six unbeaten innings, scoring at a strike rate of 260. His impressive performances have raised questions about whether he could still contribute to the Indian team at the highest level.While Dhoni's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad remains a hypothetical possibility, his form and the support of former players have fueled speculation. The final decision will ultimately rest with the selectors and the team management.

MS Dhoni's Enduring Legacy: A Testament to His Unwavering Fanbase and Exceptional Cricketing ProwessDespite his retirement from international cricket four years ago, the legendary MS Dhoni remains an icon in the hearts of countless fans worldwide. This season, the former World Cup-winning captain has been showcasing his vintage form, hitting sixes and fours with the same abandon that characterized his prime.Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has witnessed firsthand the unparalleled adoration that fans have for Dhoni. "It's an experience you like to have in the stadium every time he plays," Fleming said. "It's been lucky for me to have this magical experience for 16-17 years."Dhoni's global popularity is a testament to his exceptional cricketing abilities and his unique personality. "People talk about MS as a person, but he is also a great player, and he has done some great things for India and Chennai (Super Kings)," Fleming added.From leading the team to five IPL titles to becoming one of the most iconic figures in the league, Dhoni has left an indelible mark on the IPL. His calm demeanor, exceptional leadership skills, and remarkable cricketing abilities have made him an icon in the IPL, particularly with CSK.Dhoni's aura with CSK is legendary. His ability to handle pressure situations with composure, his tactical acumen on the field, and his knack for bringing out the best in his team members have all contributed to his iconic status. It's not just about his cricketing prowess but also about the respect and admiration he commands from fans, teammates, and opponents alike.Dhoni's enduring legacy is a testament to his unwavering fanbase and his exceptional cricketing prowess. He remains a beloved figure in the world of cricket, and his impact on the game will continue to be felt for years to come.

MS Dhoni's uncanny ability to decipher the trajectory of deliveries was once again on display during the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). In a crucial moment, Dhoni's instincts led him to challenge a wide call, resulting in a successful review that overturned the umpire's decision.During the 13th over, Tushar Deshpande bowled a delivery that the umpire deemed wide. However, Dhoni, positioned behind the stumps, believed the ball was within the line of the stumps. He promptly signaled for a review, and the third umpire confirmed Dhoni's assessment, overturning the wide call.Dhoni's sharp eye and unwavering confidence in his judgment have earned him the moniker "Dhoni Review System" among fans. This incident further cemented his reputation as a master of the Decision Review System (DRS).Earlier in the match, Dhoni made a brief appearance at the crease, facing just one delivery. He made the most of it, dispatching the ball for a boundary. It was Dhoni's sixth outing with the bat this season, and he remains unbeaten in all of them. His highest score is 37 not out off 16 balls against the Delhi Capitals.Despite Dhoni's contributions, CSK fell short in their pursuit of victory. Lucknow's Marcus Stoinis played a blistering knock of 124 not out off 63 balls, guiding his team to a six-wicket win with 3 balls to spare.

MS Dhoni's enduring legacy in Chennai cricket was once again on display during Chennai Super Kings' match against Lucknow Super Giants. The iconic wicketkeeper-batsman's presence at the MA Chidambaram Stadium ignited the city, with fans erupting in cheers as he took to the crease in the final over.Dhoni's impact extended beyond his batting performance, as he played a crucial role in a controversial umpiring decision. On the last ball of the 13th over, the umpire signaled a wide on a delivery to Marcus Stoinis. However, Dhoni, with his astute cricketing instincts, challenged the call through the Decision Review System (DRS).To the delight of the crowd, Dhoni's decision proved correct, and the wide call was reversed. The moment sparked a frenzy on social media, with fans coining the term "Dhoni Review System" to celebrate his uncanny ability to overturn umpiring decisions.Despite his limited batting opportunities in recent years, Dhoni has consistently delivered impactful performances for CSK. In five IPL innings this season, he has scored 87 runs, remaining unbeaten each time. His strike rate of 255.88 and impressive record in the final over of innings have made him a formidable force.Dhoni's mastery of the death overs is evident in his career statistics. He has scored 772 runs in 313 balls in the 20th over, with a strike rate of over 246. This season, he has scored 57 off 16 balls in the final overs, with a strike rate of 356.25.Among batters who have played at least 30 balls in overs 16-20 this tournament, Dhoni has the highest strike rate of almost 256 runs. Even young T20 specialists like Tristan Stubbs and Riyan Parag, as well as experienced finishers like Dinesh Karthik and Heinrich Klaasen, trail behind Dhoni.Remarkably, Dhoni has achieved these impressive numbers while playing just 34 balls in this tournament, all during death overs. His boundary percentage of 87.30 per cent in overs 16-20 is also the highest, surpassing Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell.Dhoni's presence in the CSK lineup continues to inspire fans and ignite the passion for cricket in Chennai. His ability to make a significant impact despite his limited playing time is a testament to his enduring greatness and the unwavering love and respect he commands from the city's cricket enthusiasts.

MS Dhoni's enduring popularity in the cricketing world was once again evident during the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The mere sight of the former CSK skipper in the dressing room during the 17th over of the innings sent waves of excitement and cheers through the crowd at Chepauk.The camera diligently captured every corner of the ground, ensuring not to miss a single moment featuring Dhoni. As the camera lingered on his extended appearance on the big screen, Dhoni couldn't help but notice, prompting the crowd to erupt into prolonged cheers. However, Dhoni humorously expressed his frustration at the extended screen time by pretending to throw a water bottle at the camera.The incident quickly caught the attention of social media users, leading to the viral spread of the video clip across various platforms. It served as a testament to Dhoni's enduring popularity and the immense joy that even the slightest glimpse of him brings to his fans.Meanwhile, on the field, Marcus Stoinis smashed an outstanding century to trump Ruturaj Gaikwad's effort as LSG beat CSK by six wickets. Stoinis remained unbeaten on 124 off 63 balls with 13 fours and six sixes, guiding LSG to a record run chase at the Chepauk in 19.3 overs. This was also the highest individual score in IPL in a run-chase.Earlier, skipper Gaikwad led from the front with a superb 60-ball unbeaten 108 as CSK posted a challenging 210 for 4. Gaikwad's knock, his second IPL hundred, was studded with 12 fours and three sixes. Shivam Dube muscled his way to a 27-ball-66, hitting seven sixes.Despite CSK's strong batting performance, LSG's bowlers managed to restrict them to a manageable total. Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 33 in his four overs.In the chase, LSG got off to a flying start thanks to a 61-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. Rahul was dismissed for 30, but de Kock continued to anchor the innings, scoring a valuable 45.Stoinis then took center stage, unleashing a barrage of boundaries to propel LSG towards victory. He was ably supported by Deepak Hooda, who scored a quickfire 34 off 20 balls.With this victory, LSG moved to the top of the IPL 2024 standings, while CSK slipped to the bottom.

MS Dhoni, the legendary former Chennai Super Kings captain, has defied the aging process with his exceptional batting performances in the ongoing IPL season. Despite being 42 years old, Dhoni has showcased his mastery by dismantling opposition bowlers and delivering breathtaking cameos to provide a late flourish for CSK while batting lower down the order.Dhoni's batting prowess has left many in awe, including former South Africa captain AB de Villiers. De Villiers believes that Dhoni's form warrants a promotion up the order in the upcoming games, which would also benefit CSK."Stats like these, it's very difficult for me to agree with that. 28 not out off 9, 20 no off 4... Look at all the not outs, it's ridiculous. At what point do we think that maybe he is in good enough form to maybe just go to number 5 or 6. I'm not saying go and bat at number 3 but just give yourself a few more deliveries. You are so destructive as a batter and you win games for CSK, you have done so for many many years. I think everyone would love to see him bat a little bit higher," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.De Villiers emphasized that despite serving the team for so long, Dhoni remains CSK's most destructive player. "I would say over anything after over 12 to 14 somewhere their wicket falls, no matter if they one down or five down, you should go in, maybe they should do a strategy like that. I think it will be very effective for CSK. He is the most destructive player in the team after all these years. I think he is the best finisher in the entire IPL at the moment," he added.Dhoni's exceptional batting performances have not only impressed De Villiers but have also raised questions about his batting position. With his ability to win games for CSK, many believe that he should be promoted up the order to maximize his impact on the team's performance.

Suresh Raina Recounts Dhoni's Uncharacteristic Anger After CSK's IPL 2014 Qualifier 2 LossFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Suresh Raina has shed light on an untold incident involving legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni after CSK's heartbreaking loss to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2014.Raina, who was a key member of the CSK team at the time, recalled that he had never witnessed Dhoni as furious as he was after that match. He revealed that Dhoni vented his frustration by throwing his pads and helmet in the dressing room."I have never seen Dhoni that angry. He vented it out after that match. He was like 'we don't score runs, we don't do this, that'. He threw his pads and helmet in the dressing room. He was irritated that we lost a match that we should have won. He was angry because we lost a match that we shouldn't have. Otherwise, we would have won the IPL that year as well," Raina said during a discussion on Lallantop.Recalling the match, Punjab had posted a mammoth 226/6 after Dhoni invited them to bat in Qualifier 2. Virender Sehwag led the charge with a 122-run knock off 58 balls while David Miller smashed 38 off just 19 balls.In reply, Raina smashed 87 off just 25 balls to give CSK a brisk start. However, CSK lost the match by 24 runs with Dhoni unbeaten on 42 off 31 balls. Dhoni was later criticized for his slow knock.Raina also recalled his own knock in the match, saying that he felt like no one could stop him that night."I felt like a man possessed. The previous day, I had a dream that I would do something special. I was seeing the ball like a football. But, I was run out. The ball hitting the bat gave me a very different sound. I was feeling like no one could stop me," he added.Meanwhile, Raina retired from all forms of the game after the IPL 2021 season and has been actively involved in commentary since then.

Chennai Super Kings Gear Up for Crucial Clash with Lucknow Super GiantsAhead of their highly anticipated encounter with the Lucknow Super Giants, the Chennai Super Kings have unveiled a glimpse of their preparations on social media. A video posted on the official CSK handle showcases the iconic Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sameer Rizvi showcasing their formidable hitting abilities in the nets.Dhoni, known for his legendary six-hitting prowess, was seen unleashing powerful strokes, reminiscent of his trademark style. The video serves as a reminder of the Thala's ability to turn the game around single-handedly.In their previous encounter, despite Dhoni's heroics with the bat, LSG emerged victorious over CSK. Dhoni's innings of 28 off just nine balls showcased his ability to inspire his team. CSK will look to use that inspiration as an impetus to secure a positive result in this crucial match.With both sides tied at eight points in the league standings, a win in this encounter becomes imperative for their playoff aspirations. CSK, known for their formidable record at home, will be eager to redeem themselves after their recent loss to LSG.The last match witnessed stellar performances from LSG's KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, whose record-breaking opening partnership led their team to victory against the five-time IPL winners. CSK will need to find a way to counter their formidable batting lineup.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. CSK will look to rely on their experience and home advantage, while LSG will aim to continue their impressive form. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the playoff race.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in his final IPL season, according to Chennai Super Kings batting coach Mike Hussey. Dhoni, who recently stepped down as CSK captain, is batting at an unprecedented strike rate of 255.88, showcasing his explosive form.Hussey believes that Dhoni's current state of mind is contributing to his exceptional performance. "He's just in a wonderful place in his career," Hussey said. "He's comfortable, happy, and enjoying his cricket."Despite facing different bowling strategies designed to counter his finishing prowess, Dhoni continues to evolve and improve. "He'll continue to evolve and make himself better," Hussey said. "He's making it harder for bowlers to bowl to him."Hussey also expressed confidence in Rachin Ravindra, a young Kiwi batsman who has faced some recent setbacks. "He's going well," Hussey said. "He's just one inning closer to that big score."Ahead of CSK's home match against Lucknow Super Giants, Hussey emphasized the importance of moving the ball quickly and dismissing key batsmen like KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock early on. "Rahul has been a fantastic player for a long time," Hussey said. "He's very difficult to bowl to."While CSK will play three consecutive home games, Hussey is taking a cautious approach. "Wins are important at any time of the tournament," he said. "But it's dangerous to think too far ahead."