At Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 23, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated the Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets thanks to a brilliant knock by Rachin Ravindra.
As the squad got off to a winning start in the season, the southpaw stayed for the complete innings to ensure that CSK won. Rachin was paired with Rahul Tripathi this time, in contrast to the previous year when he opened with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. The latter left after just two runs, unable to make much of an impression.
In the powerplay, Gaikwad continued to chase the bowlers after Tripathi was removed, smashing Mumbai’s bowling assault to every corner of Chepauk. In the end, the captain left for 53 off just 26, hitting three sixes and six fours. Rachin, at the other end, continued patiently.
CSK lost wickets frequently after the Gaikwad-Rachin combination was broken, which gave MS Dhoni a chance to bat in the team’s opening match. As the 19th over came to a finish, Dhoni, who had faced just two dot balls after Ravindra Jadeja was run out, came down at No. 8.
Rachin hit Mitchell Santner for a six over midwicket to get CSK across the finish line when four was needed in the last over. Those who hoped to see Dhoni score the game-winning runs, however, were not happy about this.
In the comments section of Rachin’s most recent Instagram photo, when he was spotted with his CSK teammate Devon Conway, the fans took aim at him. “Why didn’t you strike Dhoni?” one user said. “Oye THALA KO CHAKKA MARNE KYUN NI DIA,” said a second commenter.
“It’s exciting to bat alongside him for the first time,” said Rachin Ravindra of MS Dhoni.
Many supporters, however, praised Rachin’s game-winning performance and advised him to ignore trolls. Rachin, meanwhile, experienced Dhoni’s charisma firsthand and talked about how it felt to be in the center with him.
“Being in the moment and only concerned with winning the game for the team makes it hard to take it all in. But it’s difficult to ignore. With the cacophony and whistles, you hear Dhoni emerge. Sharing the crease with him for the first time is cool. People here adore him, and he is a legend in the game. Thus, it’s unique,” he said reporters following the game.
“Everyone in the crowd would have hoped that I struck him and he completed it.” However, it’s all about finishing the task. He has completed numerous games for CSK, and I have no doubt that there will be many more in the future,” he continued.
India
