NEW DELHI: Former cricketers have weighed in on the highly anticipated clash between
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
and Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, tipping CSK as the favourites due to the formidable presence of MS Dhoni and the team's track record in pressure situations.
Speaking on Star Sports, former India cricketer
Mohammad Kaif
elaborated on Dhoni's prowess in high-stakes matches, citing his pivotal role in India's 2011 World Cup triumph despite being out of form.
Kaif emphasized Dhoni's tendency to step up when it matters most, noting that CSK's history of success in knockout games further solidifies their status as frontrunners against RCB.
"CSK are a team for big matches and they know how to win knock-out matches. The last time they won the IPL in 2023, they were losing the final - 2 balls, 10 runs. It was almost over and [Ravindra] Jadeja hit four and six to win the match. Dhoni himself is in form this time with the bat, and whoever bats with him usually plays a match-winning knock, especially in a do-or-die game," Kaif remarked.
"Dhoni's formula in crunch games is - don't panic, take a breath and only he has this art in crunch matches. Lots of IPL captains came, but Dhoni's alertness in the crucial moments of the game is unmatched. He makes very few mistakes, that's why they are a champion team [Dhoni galtiyan kam karte hai, isliye champion team hai]. Because of this, CSK are favourites against RCB in the crucial league match," Kaif added.
Echoing Kaif's sentiments, former India all-rounder
Irfan Pathan
highlighted Dhoni's exceptional form in the current season and the unpredictability he brings to the table. Pathan pointed out Dhoni's impressive statistics, including an average of 68 and a strike rate exceeding 200, along with his penchant for hitting sixes. He suggested that Dhoni might even alter his usual batting position if the situation demands it, underscoring the skipper's adaptability and potential to spring surprises.
"This season he is on a roll, scoring 136 runs at 68 average and a strike rate of over 200 [226.66]. Has already hit 12 sixes. Every time he came to bat he has hit sixes. The special thing about CSK is that at the crucial time they played at a different level. You never know, Dhoni can do something he hasn't done in the season, so far he is coming in to bat in the last one or two overs," Pathan stated.
RCB host CSK at
M Chinnaswamy Stadium
in Bengaluru on Saturday, with both needing a win to earn a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs.
With expectations running high and the spotlight firmly on Dhoni and CSK, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of the clash, poised to witness whether the seasoned campaigner can once again weave his magic in the IPL arena.
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