“If MS Dhoni hadn’t gotten out to the back-of-the-hand ball, he would have won the game” – Aakash Chopra on CSK’s IPL 2024 loss vs RCB

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes MS Dhoni would have won the game for CSK had he not got out to the back-of-the-hand ball from Yash Dayal in the final over. CSK needed 17 runs in the final over to qualify for the playoffs and Dayal was put under the pump as he was smashed for a massive 110-m six.

However, the left-arm seamer was able to bounce back as he bamboozled MS Dhoni with a slower ball. Dayal then bowled three more dot balls and conceded only seven runs in the last over.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni has all the experience under his belt and batted at the top of his game in IPL 2024. Dhoni scored 161 runs in 11 innings of the season at an average of 53.67 and a strike rate of 220.65, the second-best in the tournament for a batter with a minimum of 100 runs.

“MS Dhoni was there along with Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni kept them alive. Maybe this was the last time we saw Dhoni. He hit the longest six of this season – 110 meters. He also hit two fours on the leg side. If MS Dhoni hadn’t gotten out to the back-of-the-hand ball, he would have won the game (taken CSK to the playoffs),” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“From where he started, it didn’t seem like winning the game was possible. Not winning, you know I am talking about 201, winning the match was beyond them. Jadeja was hitting sixes off the first ball of every over. However, Yash Dayal bowled well in the last over. Only 17 runs were required. He saved them and RCB won with a decent margin and progressed,” the former India opener added.

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane scored 33 runs off 22 balls and Chopra reckons the experienced batter failed to accelerate after the Powerplay overs. 

“Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) came and Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) was out off the first ball. Then Daryl Mitchell came and he too got out after some time. Rachin Ravindra was playing with Ajinkya Rahane. Rachin Ravindra was timing the ball. Rahane was there for some time but it seems like this game is going away from him because he is unable to accelerate like that,” he said.

Furthermore, Shivam Dube struggled to get going as he trudged to seven runs after 15 balls. 

“Then he got out and Shivam Dube’s bat wasn’t hitting the ball at all. Since he has gotten out for two consecutive zeroes, he has got no form whatsoever. He scored seven runs off 15 balls. Then Mitchell Santner, that much might wasn’t there in the batting,” Chopra observed.

CSK finished their IPL 2024 with seven wins and as many losses.