‘I keep assessing from behind the wicket, I am always involved in what needs to be done’: MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings acquired their act collectively throughout the nick of time to eke out an eight-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday.

Devon Conway slammed 83 off 45 deliveries whereas Shivam Dube blazed away to a 27-ball 52 as CSK posted an imposing 226/6 after requested to bat first. In reply, RCB ended at 218/8 .

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis (62 off 33 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (76 off 36) gave a scare to CSK till they’d been on the crease, sharing 126 runs for the third wicket to spice up hopes of a well known win.

Speaking after the match, CSK captain MS Dhoni acknowledged, “When you come to Bangalore, it’s a good wicket. Early part of IPL you get a lot of dew. You want to start well and then alter whatever is there in your mind. It was slightly tacky at the start. It’s important to go through that and then look to accelerate. We kept it simple and tried to as much as possible in the second half of the innings.”

Dhoni moreover praised Shivam Dube for his brisk innings and acknowledged, “He is someone who can hit cleanly. He has an issue with the fast bowlers but he’s a clean hitter against the spinners. We had certain plans for him but unfortunately when he arrived at the camp he was injured so we couldn’t work with him. We feel he’s someone he can deliver. He needs to believe in that more than us. We can only guide till a certain extent, but once you cross the boundary ropes into the field you are on your own.”

Speaking on how he managed the game no matter Maxwell and Faf Du Plessis going all weapons blazing, Dhoni acknowledged, “I keep assessing from behind the wicket, I am always involved in what needs to be done rather than thinking about the result.”

On the final word few overs, he acknowledged, “It is a difficult one for the youngsters, specially at this time of the year with the dew around. But they are working hard. Bravo is one of the specialists. Under him, the bowlers will gain confidence. It’s a team game. The coach, the bowling coach and the senior players guide them.”