MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings had a pretty poor IPL season in 2020 and it was not even able to qualify for the play-offs but in the IPL 2021, it has become the first team to enter the finals. This is the 9th time that CSK has reached the finals and MS Dhoni certainly deserves to get a lot of credit for this wonderful performance of the Chennai franchise in the tournament.
MS Dhoni has been leading CSK since the inaugural edition of 2008 and till now, the Chennai franchise has won IPL three times which speaks highly of the great manner in which Mahi has captained the team. However, he was constantly getting targeted for his poor form with the bat and a former cricketer also took a jibe at the capability of Dhoni on finishing the game. There is no denying the fact that the 40 years old cricketer is not in his prime but it doesn’t mean that he can be written off and yesterday in the first play-off match which CSK played against Delhi Capitals, we got the chance to see the glimpse of younger Dhoni and certainly many memories were brought alive because of the quick knock that he played to take his team into the finals.
CSK chose to bowl first after winning the toss and its decision was proved correct by its bowlers as they took three top order wickets quickly but Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant played half-century knocks and helped their team in putting up a good total of 172/5 in 20 overs. In response, CSK batters did pretty well as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa played smashing knocks but there was a time when DC was making a comeback in the game and at that time, Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Ravindra Jadeja as he has a good experience of playing and winning close matches.
MS Dhoni played a quick knock of 18 runs for which he played only 6 balls and his innings included 3 fours and 1 six. The CSK fans went crazy after seeing Dhoni playing like the younger Dhoni and he made sure that his team went into the finals. There was celebration all over the ground and Dhoni’s wife Sakshi and many other fans were in tears after the match got over.
Many people from the cricket fraternity also reacted on this wonderful innings of MS Dhoni and here are some selected reactions:
Virat Kohli:
Anddddd the king is back ❤️the greatest finisher ever in the game. Made me jump Outta my seat once again tonight.@msdhoni
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 10, 2021
Virender Sehwag:
Om Finishaya Namaha !
Great win from Chennai. Ruturaj Top class, Uthappa classy and Dhoni showing how important temparement is. Great win for @ChennaiIPL and what a fightback to reach the finals after the show last season.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 10, 2021
Suresh Raina:
What a finish it was! @msdhoni Bhai, my 💛 and belief on you just grows multifold with time! This moment of you taking the team into the finals will be cherished forever! #DhoniFinishesOffInStyle pic.twitter.com/84kWyudMYR
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) October 11, 2021
Wasim Jaffer:
MS Dhoni inspiring the next generation, for generations. #Legend #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/kfNquGtQ8M
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 11, 2021
Vignesh Shivan:
Am not impressed by the 7 wonders of the world !
For me the only wonder in this world is 7 …. @msdhoni #Dhoni
Never before(u)
Ever after(u)Andrum
Indrum endrum … #MSDhoni G.O.A.T #DhoniFinishesOffInStyle ! #csk even after life ❤️❤️😇😇 #ChennaiSuperKings pic.twitter.com/a2049BnP8e— VigneshShivan (@VigneshShivN) October 10, 2021
Monty Panesar:
MSD has lightened up India @msdhoni @ChennaiIPL @sportstigerapp #CSKvsDC pic.twitter.com/UZvDz8jA3U
— Monty Panesar (@zkp_scroll) October 10, 2021
Harsha Bhogle:
Enjoy chatting with Dhoni after the game. I find him very honest about his own performances and that makes these interviews more interesting.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 10, 2021
Pragyan Ojha:
Nothing is bigger than “Self-belief”. The man reminds everyone yet again, who is the best finisher and why! #CSKvsDC #Qualifier1 #IPL2O21 #MSDhoni
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) October 10, 2021
Rishi Dhawan:
That’s the way Mahi ve. Outstanding finish by one and only @msdhoni bhai 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #maza aa gya
— rishi dhawan (@rishid100) October 10, 2021
Jay Shah:
The art of finishing – @msdhoni style. What an absolute cracker of a game. So many memories come alive when you see MSD finish a game like that #Dhoni #DCvsCSK
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 10, 2021
Mitchell McClenaghan:
In other news #Dhoni is a king
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) October 11, 2021
Munaf Patel:
Its @msdhoni show, what a wat to finish #Thala
Congratulations @ChennaiIPL#CSKvsDC #Playoffs #Dhoni #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/eyspTnbpXs— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) October 10, 2021
Alexandra Hartley:
Wow what a finish in the IPL!!
Don’t question Dhoni. #CSKvsDC #ipl2021— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) October 10, 2021
Kris Srikkanth:
Vintage @msdhoni at his best! Long live the king! #DCvsCSK
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) October 10, 2021
Aakash Chopra:
#IPL has gone back to be the tournament where seven teams compete to play #CSK in the finals. Comeback Superking Kings.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2021
Maahi Hai Toh Abhi Bhi Mumkin Hai… #CSK #IPL2021
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2021
Venkatesh Prasad:
Class is permanent. Brilliant from Dhoni and @ChennaiIPL in the finals once again. With MS Dhoni’s Presence , there is nothing which is impossible. What a comeback by CSK after a difficult season last year #CSKvsDC
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) October 10, 2021
Niall John O Brien:
You absolute legend MSD @ChennaiIPL 👍
— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) October 10, 2021
Dhoni will certainly be remembered as one of the greatest captains and finishers ever in the history of cricket. Well done Mahi!
