Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya could not hide his disapproval of Mahendra Singh Doha after their loss to Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s tactical acumen. While Dhoni’s three consecutive sixes and a hasty two off the fourth and final delivery gave CSK a winning cushion, Pandya credited the former India skipper’s reading of the match from behind the stumps. It is the conveyor belt of the key track.

“Their (CSK) plan was smart and used the longer boundaries well. They got the hang of it and they had a man behind the stumps to tell them what works,” Rohit Sharma said ) smashed but his team failed to chase down 206, Pandya said with his second IPL century and batting from start to finish.

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad heaped praise on Dhoni, saying his power-hitting with just 4 balls remaining sealed the victory.

Dhoni, 42, scored 20 points in four overs, which ultimately changed the outcome of the game.

“Our young goalie (MSD) helped a lot by scoring three sixes in the order and I think that’s the difference. In this case, to start, you need 10-15 extra points. We’re looking at 215-220 , but Bumrah played well,” said Gaikwad, who took over the captaincy from Dhoni this season.

Wayesana Arum
young goalkeeper #ThalaThalaDhaan

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 15, 2024

“In terms of bowling, our execution was spot on. Even in the powerplay, I would have taken six overs in 60 overs. This kind of pitch requires two skills: batting and bowling. Our (Lasith) Malinga (Matheesha Pathirana) bowled really well and nailed those yorkers,” he said.

Gaikwad on why he did not open the innings and instead fielded Ajinkya Rahane along with Rachin Ravindra, said: “Nothing, Jinks (Rahane) has a little problem .I think it would be better for him to start the game and hit the ball very well anywhere.” Pathirana, the man of the match, took 4/28 at the top of the IPL. He said he was a little nervous as he recovered from a minor injury.

“When we pitched on the power play, I was nervous. I don’t think about the results, I just think about execution. First of all, I was in trouble two weeks ago and all the support staff and players helped me.

“That’s the most important thing to keep my form,” said the Sri Lankan, whose movements mimicked the lines of the legendary Malinga.