IPL 2018| MS Dhoni hails ‘fantastic’ Ambati Rayudu

CSK have undoubtedly been one of the most exciting teams this season. And it has not only been because of their return to the IPL fold after an absence of two years, but also for the manner in which they have played. Barring the game against Rajasthan Royals, all of their games have gone down to the wire and the winner was decided in the final over.

The game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday was no different. After a very slow start, Ambati Rayudu’s excellent 79, Suresh Raina’s 54 and a quick-fire 25 from MS Dhoni helped the visitors reach 182 that looked difficult at one stage. In reply, SRH lost three quick wickets in the powerplay as Deepak Chahar ran through the Hyderabad top-order. 

However, SRH skipper Kane Williamson batted beautifully scoring a valiant 84 to take SRH close. But, he fell on the last ball of the 18th over trying to hit Dwayne Bravo over long-on, leaving his side a mammoth task to complete. One would’ve felt with Williamson’s dismissal, SRH were out of the contest, but a six from Yusuf Pathan and a couple of lusty blows from Rashid Khan kept them in the contest. It eventually came down to six off one ball and Bravo held his nerve to help CSK win their fourth game this season.

But it was Ambati Rayudu who set up this victory at the beginning. On a slowish pitch with the ball not quite coming onto the bat very often, Rayudu was brilliant as he took CSK from 37/2 in 8 overs to 144/3 in the 17th over (the over that he was dismissed). And Dhoni was quick to praise the Hyderabad batsman for his wonderful batting display. 

“Rayudu was fantastic. One thing was where to make him play. Had to make space for him because I've always rated him highly. I've seen him bat up the order, he looks confident. Whenever he hits the big shots, he maintains the shape. He's somebody who can bat at different numbers. But I prefer him opening the batting,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. 

Dwayne Bravo, who has been CSK’s go-to bowler at the death, was expensive today but still finished the job on the last ball. He had 19 runs in the bank and the West Indian bowler started well giving just three runs off his first three deliveries. But Rashid Khan struck a six and a four to spice things up. With six required off the final ball, Bravo bowled an excellent yorker to seal the game for CSK. 

Dhoni felt that in difficult times, even the best in the business sometimes need advice. The CSK skipper also felt that the batsmen are getting stronger and are planning well against bowlers. 

“Won't say what we were talking about (chat with Bravo before the last ball), wanted him to change his plan. At times even the best - Bravo - need a bit of advice. That's what they're paid for. What's important is you make mistakes and learn. In league stages you can afford to do that. Where we are at this point, a few mistakes won't dent us. Bowlers will learn out of it. Wickets have gone better. If you compare it to the first few editions of the IPL, these wickets are very good batting surfaces. Need to give credit to the batsmen. They're getting stronger. They're making plans as to which bowler bowls what,” the CSK skipper admitted. 

Chennai have been using young fast bowlers Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur in the starting XI as their strike pacers. He is backing them to come good and has shown confidence in them. Deepak Chahar, in particular, has been very encouraging for CSK. 

“What's important is to give them - the younger bowlers - as many games as possible. Deepak swings the ball and lends balance with his batting down the order. Shardul had a few bad games. Last international series wasn't good for him. But he has the right attitude and also the variations,” Dhoni said. 

CSK now face RCB on April 25 (Wednesday) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.