Chase master Dhoni back with a bang, delivers for RPS
Mahendra Singh Dhoni lashed a last-ball boundary to cap a terrific half-century and steer Rising Pune Supergiant to a thrilling second victory at home, by six wickets against holders Sunrisers Hyderabad, in the IPL at Pune on Saturday. Dhoni, criticised for repeatedly failing with the bat, regained his finishing touch to leave RPS needing 11 runs off the final over bowled by pace bowler Siddarth Kaul. With two needed off the last ball, the former India skipper smashed it to the extra cover fence, taking RPS to 179 for four chasing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 177. Having opted to bowl, RPS faced a challenging total after Moises Henriques slammed his second half-century of the season.
Rahul Tripathi got the hosts off to a terrific start with a 41-ball 59, but a few quick wickets seemed to be turning it into a lost battle until Dhoni slammed an unbeaten 61 off 34 deliveries and finished off in style.
SLUGGISH START
The explosive top three — David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson — failed to fire for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who made just 45 runs after the six powerplay overs. Warner took 40 balls to score 43, Dhawan’s strike rate was just over 100 and Williamson too fell for 21, but Henriques took on the bowlers. He was supported by Deepak Hooda, who scored a 10-ball 19 as they stitched a 47-run partnership off 21 deliveries. Henriques struck six boundaries and two sixes. Coming out to chase, Tripathi gave RPS a perfect start with a cracking half-century after Ajinkya Rahane fell cheaply. His brilliant knock of 59 was laced with three sixes and six boundaries.
He was run out after a brilliant throw from Rashid Khan caught him short.
Steve Smith had gone by then and when Ben Stokes fell in the 17th over, all hopes were pinned on Dhoni. With his side needing 56 off 23 deliveries, he kept his cool.
Dhoni struck five boundaries and three sixes, including one that brought up his half-century as he plundered runs to pull the momentum back in his team’s favour.
He smacked Siraj for a six and a four in the 18th over before hitting two consecutive boundaries and a six in the penultimate over, which left RPS needing 11 runs off the last six balls.
Manoj Tiwary picked up four off the first ball, though Rashid dropped him on the ropes. The next four deliveries yielded just five runs.
But with two required off the last ball, and Dhoni on strike, the odds were heavily against the bowler.