In the Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2023 match, all eyes were on MS Dhoni as he walked in to bat with only five balls left in the innings. With the best pacer of the tournament, Mark Wood, on the bowling end, the odds were stacked against Dhoni. But the 41-year-old cricketer had other plans. In just two balls, he smashed back-to-back sixes, leaving the crowd at the Chepauk Stadium in awe.
On the first ball, Wood bowled a 148 km/h length delivery outside Dhoni’s arc. The CSK skipper gave it his all and sent the ball flying over the third-man fielder with a full-monty bat swing. The next delivery was a short ball dug in by Wood, but Dhoni was quick to swivel and hit it for another six. It was a fairytale beginning for a once-in-a-generation cricketer who hadn’t batted in Chennai for nearly four years.
Dhoni’s personal milestone of completing 5000 runs in the IPL was also praised by Robin Uthappa, a JioCinema IPL expert. Uthappa acknowledged the difficulty of hitting one of the fastest bowlers in the world for two sixes, especially at the age of 41. But Dhoni proved that age is just a number and that he still has what it takes to be a top-class cricketer.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, and Moeen Ali also shone in the match, helping CSK secure a 12-run win. Gaikwad and Conway shared a 110-run opening partnership, with Gaikwad smashing 57 off 31 with three fours and four sixes. Conway supported him with his 47 off 29, including five boundaries and two sixes. Moeen Ali’s impressive figures of 4 for 26 helped CSK restrict LSG to 205 for seven.
But Dhoni’s stunning sixes stole the show and reminded everyone of his greatness. As he continues to defy age and expectations, fans can’t help but wonder what other magic he has up his sleeve.