Chennai Super Kings lost their winning momentum since Ruturaj Gaikwad replaced MS Dhoni as the captain. The team didn’t make it to the playoffs in the previous season and was put under the pump from the start of the 18th edition. After beating Mumbai India in their opening match, the five-time champions lost four consecutive matches under Gaikwad’s captaincy. He suffered an elbow fracture and was ruled out of the remainder of the league. Dhoni took the captain’s armband from Ruturaj before the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk. Former CSK players Irfan Pathan and Robin Uthappa urged the fans not to expect some miracle from Dhoni, considering the team was lacking firepower across departments.
KKR defeated the home franchise by 8 wickets after restricting them to 103/9 in 20 overs. Chennai head coach Stephen Fleming defended Dhoni after the embarrassing loss. He reminded everyone that MSD doesn’t have the magic to start the winning process.
However, all the doubts were buried by the master tactician when his captaincy and batting led Chennai to a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants. His clever bowling changes restricted LSG to 166/7, and then he amassed an unbeaten 26 runs off 11 balls to complete the chase in 19.3 overs.
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha reacted to Chennai’s win.
“Even destiny wanted MS Dhoni to return as a captain. Everyone wants to see him leading the Chennai Super Kings whenever he plays for the franchise. Even luck starts favouring Chennai when Dhoni captains the side. Luck works in Dhoni’s favour,” Pragyan Ojha said on Star Sports.
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