CSK vs GT | Twitter in awe as vintage Dhoni pulls off yet another iconic stunner at full-stretch
When the Indian Premier League visits the holy grail of Chepauk, the action is more about 'Thala" MS Dhoni than all the other 21 players on the field. The former Chennai Super Kings wicket-keeper ensured the faithful crowd got its bang for their buck by showcasing his legendary catching skills.
Chennai Super Kings capitalized on a rare flat track at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday to put up a daunting total of 206 after being asked to bat first by Gujarat Titans in a repeat of last year's final. While each of the 16 boundaries and 11 maximums was met with vigorous roars from the Yellow Army, a moment of silence enveloped the stands once they realized MS Dhoni wouldn't be taking to the crease with the willow despite the fall of six wickets. Nevertheless, the veteran ensured the crowd did not go home disappointed as he made up for his demotion in the batting order with a trademark brilliant grab behind the stumps midway through Gujarat's innings.
Ruturaj Gaikwad handed the ball to Black Caps medium-pacer Daryl Mitchell for the first time in the season and the Kiwi found himself up against Vijay Shankar on the third ball of the eighth over. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder attempted to heave a full ball on the fourth stump straight down the ground but got a thick edge and the ball flew behind the stumps. The sudden shift in the direction of travel of the Kookaburra combined with the speed at which it went meant the ball seemed destined for the boundary until Dhoni leapt to his right with both his hands outstretched and brilliantly cupped the ball into his gloves.
The crowd went ballistics after the incident while the CSK players enveloped the 42-year-old, who sported a huge grin on his face, in enthusiastic hugs -- thus accurately reflecting the emotions of Twitterati.Vintage!
𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗗 😎
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 26, 2024
An excellent diving grab behind the stumps and the home crowd erupts in joy💛
Head to @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia to watch the match LIVE#TATAIPL | #CSKvGT pic.twitter.com/n5AlXAw9Zg
Vintage Dhoni!
— Shanaka Kundu (@KunduShanaka) March 26, 2024
Dhoni took off today!
Flying Jatt ❌❌
— Prakhar 👑💛 (@Msdian_Prakhar) March 26, 2024
Flying Dhoni ✅✅ pic.twitter.com/S4gIUGRxh4
Flying high!
Thala flying high at chepauk #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/m3ORFCeBMJ
— Jayprakash MSDian™ 🥳🦁 (@ms_dhoni_077) March 26, 2024
Brilliant
Catch🤩🤩🤩#CSKvGT #DHONI pic.twitter.com/hZbAKrPd1R
— SSP⚡️ (@SumanthP_) March 26, 2024
Mastermind
dhoni the mastermind always changing the course of game with his involvements
— Touchstone. (@unclecorleone) March 26, 2024
Flying high
FLYING 42 YEAR OLD MS DHONI...!!! 🤯
— Ayan Mukherjee (@Ayan_Mukherjee_) March 26, 2024
STUNNER THALA pic.twitter.com/HltanrJ5r1
Childhood relived
I revived my childhood in that catch . Its just like he caught ricky ponting in cb series . Oh dhoni you never aged
— s (@slaychau_) March 26, 2024
Superb
What a dive by MS Dhoni 😍
— Aditya Singh Rawat (@Catslayer_999) March 26, 2024
Young as ever, so fricking athletic even at 42
Not a notch below perfection behind the stumps 🔥#CSKvGT #IPL2024
The greatest
Fuck the age🔥🔥 MS DHONI THE GREATEST KEEPER 😭 pic.twitter.com/RMux38SEf1
— DevaraFrenzy🩸⚔️ (@Oosaravelli9) March 26, 2024
The best in the town!
Dhoni glove work still top
— Nihilistic Gooner (@Wilsharma) March 26, 2024