IPL 2018| MS Dhoni hails Chris Gayle and Mujeeb Ur Rahman for their performance

On Sunday, Chennai Super Kings suffered their first defeat in this year’s IPL against KXIP, where they failed to chase down the target of 198 in 20 overs falling short by 4 runs. Despite playing a magnificent knock of 79 from 44 balls, MS Dhoni couldn’t take his team over the line. Having successfully chased down two huge totals in their first two games, Chennai asked Punjab to bat first and both the openers Chris Gayle and KL Rahul got off to a flying start scoring 75 in the first 6 overs. While KL Rahul departed early, Chris Gayle playing his first match in this year’s IPL, scored a blistering 67-run knock of just 33 balls. When it came to bowling front, it was Mujeeb who impressed with a spell of just 18 runs in three overs. 

“They bowled very well, Mujeeb made a difference. I don’t think there was much dew on the ground. They played better than us. We can improve in few areas. Chris’ innings in the first innings and Mujeeb’s bowling (18 runs in 3 overs) made a difference. It was a close game. We will be a safe fielding team and not be an exceptional one. We have to be smart while bowling. We want to keep hitting boundaries here and there and that can make a difference. All the games we have been part of were close, so individuals would have learnt from that,” Dhoni said after the match, reported Indian Express. 

One of the biggest talking points that arose after the game was why despite his 68 run cameo in the first game of the season, Dwayne Bravo was still behind Ravindra Jadeja in the batting order. Yesterday, again, Jadeja was sent in ahead of Bravo and despite the Indian scoring 19 off just 13 balls, the two-time Champions needed more. Dhoni, however, justified the selection stating that it was harder for the bowlers to attack a left hander.

”Fleming is in the dugout so he needs to take the decision. We have confidence in Jadeja because he being a left-hander is not easy for the bowlers. This is the time we need to give him the opportunity. If Jadeja can do the job of the floater that would be really good for the team as we have Raina at the top of the order. I will back him as we have not given him many opportunities,” Dhoni added.