Dhoni’s lethal finish seals win

BANGALORE: MS Dhoni’s astonishing finishing prowess pulled Chennai Super Kings to a thrilling five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 70 off 34 balls (1x4, 7x6) after a 101-run partnership with Ambati Rayudu lifted CSK after RCB piled up 206/8.

Rayudu (82 – 53 b, 3x4, 8x6) was run out, but Dhoni kept his cool in a 19th over by Mohammed Siraj, who bowled a no-ball and two wides to leave CSK needing 16 runs from the final over.

Corey Anderson’s bouncer went for four byes first up and a six by Dwayne Bravo off the next ball and a single left CSK needing five off three balls. Dhoni smashed a six over midwicket to seal the win.

CSK were in trouble and needed 55 off four overs after Shane Watson, Suresh Raina (8), Sam Billings (11) and Ravindra Jadeja (3) all fell cheaply, reducing CSK to 107/4 in 13 overs.

Umesh Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal put up stellar shows early on, but the India pacer dropped a sitter to reprieve Rayudu in the 16th over. AB de Villiers topscored with 68 off 30 balls (2x4, 8x6) to lead RCB’S innings. He was assisted by Quinton de Kock, who scored 53 off 37 balls in a 103-run partnership off 53 deliveries for the second wicket after skipper Virat Kohli’s (18) early dismissal.

Bravo 4-1-33-2.