Chennai Super Kings (CSK) snapped their five-match losing streak with a dramatic five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Chennai. Chasing 167, CSK were in trouble at 112 for 5 in the 15th over, but MS Dhoni (26* off 11) and Shivam Dube (43* off 27) stitched together a match-winning stand of 57 runs off just 28 balls to seal the game with three balls to spare.
Dhoni, who came in with 56 needed off 30 balls, unleashed a masterclass against pace. He struck four boundaries and a six, including a one-handed pull over square leg that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Dube, after a slow start, stepped up during the death overs, smashing a four and a six off Shardul Thakur to finish the game.
Pant Fights Alone, CSK Spinners Squeeze
LSG chose to bat first and managed 166 for 7, their lowest total of the season. Skipper Rishabh Pant led the scoring with a 49-ball 63 — his maiden IPL fifty for the franchise. After the match, Pant admitted they were “10-15 runs short” of a competitive total.
Pant started brightly but struggled against the spinners. Noor Ahmad bowled a brilliant spell of 4-0-13-0, while Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with 2 for 24. Pant scored only six runs off 15 balls against Noor, registering the second-lowest strike rate against a bowler in IPL history (min. 15 balls).
Rasheed Impresses on Debut
Making his IPL debut, former U19 vice-captain Shaik Rasheed showed promise. He smashed 27 off 19 balls with six fours, including a flick over midwicket that drew comparisons to Virat Kohli. Alongside Rachin Ravindra (37 off 22), Rasheed helped CSK race to 50 in just 4.2 overs.
Spinners Drag LSG Back, But Thakur’s Over Costs the Game
LSG’s spinners – Ravi Bishnoi, Aiden Markram, and Digvesh Rathi – brought their team back into the contest with combined figures of 11-0-66-4. But Shardul Thakur’s 19-run over in the 19th shattered LSG’s hopes and sealed CSK’s second win in seven matches.
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