Cricket

'There’s not much you can do' - MS Dhoni on Andre Russell's onslaught

Chennai Super Kings registered their third win of the IPL 2021 as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 18 runs.

Sky247 Staff

22 Apr 2021 07:24 IST

New Update

Chennai Super Kings registered their third win of the IPL 2021 as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 18 runs. Batting first, Chennai Super Kings, on back of a solid show by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis posted a strong 220-3 before leaving KKR reeling at 31-5.

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However, what followed was a dramatic fightback by KKR who almost pulled off a miraculous victory. First, it was the onslaught of Andre Russell (54 off 22 balls) then it was Dinesh Karthik (40 off 24) and finally Pat Cummins (66 off 34), who went berserk to give CSK a scare. However, the ‘Men in Yellow’ held their nerves and won the game.

Post the match, MS Dhoni said that it may not always be good to take early wickets, referring to the impactful knock of Andre Russell.

“Quite easy in a game like this. From the 16th over onwards, the contest was between the fast bowler and the batsman. You can’t do too much. Can’t put a different field. It’s about you vs me. The side that has won is a side that has executed slightly better,” Dhoni said after the game.

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He further added that the match could have been more close had KKR played their full 20 overs.

“You don’t want to take too many early wickets. Big hitters coming in, 200 runs, there’s only one way they’ll play. There’s not much you can do. The only option was Jadeja. It was turning, it was a bit dry. If 20 overs had been completed, it would have been more closer,” he stated.

The former Indian skipper reckoned that the team should not take anything for granted. Despite getting a big score, they should stay humble and try to restrict the opposition for as low a possible.

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“Have seen enough in cricket, I always like to be humble. There’s no good reason if you have scored; the opposition can’t score. My lines to the players were that we have got good runs on the board but let’s be humble,” Dhoni added.

The win has taken Chennai Super Kings at the helm of the points table with 6 points in 4 games. They’ll next take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 25th.