The ace commentator Aakash Chopra has heaped praises on MS Dhoni and his captaincy for leading the team into yet another final. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) to qualify for the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. This is the 10th time in the history of the tournament that Dhoni has led the yellow outfit to the finals of the competition.
While reviewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, the former Indian cricketer pointed out the fact that in the 14 seasons of the IPL CSK has played, they have qualified for the finals on 10 occasions. The former Indian opener also praised the brand of captaincy that the former Indian captain does and also feels that the entire tournament seems to have been organized for Dhoni.
The 45-year-old also applauded the fact that how MS has been able to change the fortune of the side as CSK finished ninth in the previous year’s IPL and in this year’s IPL, CSK have become the first team to qualify for the final of IPL 2023.
“This team is different. Mahi’s magic is different. It seems the entire tournament has been organized for MS Dhoni this time. They finished ninth last year, finished second this year (in the league phase), and have now become the first team to reach the final. Take a bow Dhoni, you are amazing.” Chopra complimented Dhoni.
In Qualifier 1, The four-time IPL champions were put into bat after losing the toss and scored a decent score of 172/7 in their allocated 20 over on the back of sublime batting performances from Rituraj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. Both the openers provided a solid start for CSK with an 87-run opening stand. CSK’s bowling department then went on to defend the target resulting in the four-time champions beating the defending champions by 15 runs.
Gaikwad was named the Player of the Match for a superb knock of 60 runs in 44 balls with seven eye-pleasing boundaries and one six. CSK’s star-opening batter is currently sixth in the race of Orange Cap with 564 runs to his name at an average of 43.38 and an astonishing strike rate of 146.88.