CSK vs PBKS in IPL 2021: MS Dhoni becomes 1st player to play 200 matches for Chennai Super Kings- Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has become 1st player to play 200 matches for one IPL franchise. He achieved the feat while playing against Punjab Kings on Friday. The 39-year-old has played for CSK in all the seasons since IPL 2008, except in 2016-17, when the team was suspended for a couple of years. He has played 205 matches in IPL (including 2 seasons at now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant). His tally of 200 appearances at CSK, also includes CSK’s fixtures in the Champions League T20.
IPL 2021: MS Dhoni 200 matches for CSK
MS Dhoni has played 175 matches for CSK in IPL and 24 matches in the Champions League T20.
Toss Update: @ChennaiIPL captain @msdhoni wins the toss and opts to bowl first against @PunjabKingsIPL.https://t.co/P8VzT4XXbb #PBKSvCSK #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/xUzvTEkpRV
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2021
IPL 2021: MS Dhoni 200 matches for CSK
MS Dhoni has won three IPL trophies for CSK. He is the second most successful captain in terms of winning IPL titles.
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His team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), treated their skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with a fantastic all-round performance on Friday to win against Punjab Kings by six wickets. After the victory, coach Stephen Fleming lauded Dhoni’s feat, calling him the heartbeat of CSK and the right fit.
Happy 200* THALA 😍💛#Thala200 #PBKSvCSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁 pic.twitter.com/RdAyQM0hnO
— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P😷du Whistle P🥳du! (@ChennaiIPL) April 16, 2021
“He’s been absolutely the heartbeat of CSK. There’s no doubt about it, whether it’s performances or guidance or leadership. You sort of run out of things to say about him, but as longevity is also something now that is to be appreciated and mentioned, but to play the 200 games and still have a desire to do well and, and perform well, it was a testament to his attitude. Firstly, towards the game, but also to the franchise as well. I think that the franchise has grown and he MS has grown with it. So, it’s a very good relationship and a great fit,” Fleming said at the post-match press conference, commenting on his Dhoni’s 200th match for the franchise.
Dhoni on his 200th match
“Makes me feel very old and it has been a very long journey. It started in 2008 – played in SA, Dubai, and back home. Never thought Mumbai would be our home. In 2011, the last time that we were happy with the Chennai wicket. Before that, there was spin, but it also helped fast bowlers,” Dhoni told host broadcaster Star Sports after the match.
“After the wicket was relaid, we found it difficult to adjust to conditions. This is a very good wicket, but it depends on the conditions on that day. The ball moved today, but it didn’t swing around a lot. There was no dew and enough seam movement,” he added.
Dhoni’s leadership skills were on display on Friday again. His decision to bowl first on a tricky wicket proved crucial as CSK bowlers ripped Punjab Kings apart. With Deepak Chahar in fine form, he continued the bowling attack with him, completing his quota of four overs. That changed the match.
Chahar’s 4/13 in his four-over spell had victims in Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda and Nicholas Pooran, wrecking PBKS’ batting line-up.
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