3 Times MS Dhoni Emerged As CSK's Backbone By Bashing RCB In IPL

Anurag Dasgupta

MS Dhoni best knocks vs RCB [Source: @repivxx65_/X.com] MS Dhoni best knocks vs RCB [Source: @repivxx65_/X.com]

The wait is over as the titans of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will collide at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. The two teams have had fierce rivalry and it is set to continue at the fortress of the Super Kings.

Over the years, one of RCB's biggest nightmare has been CSK's former skipper, MS Dhoni. Time and again, "Thala", as they call him has proven why he is the best finisher in the game. In this article, we will look at 3 times MS Dhoni bashed RCB and took them apart with his ruthless batting.

1) Dhoni’s 70* off 34 in 2018 IPL

Dhoni during 2018 match Dhoni during 2018 match

Perhaps MS Dhoni's best IPL knock, it came against RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2018. The Super Kings needed a tricky 206, and at one stage, CSK were tottering at 74/4 when Dhoni joined hands with Ambati Rayudu and the duo resurrected the innings.

The duo added 110 runs and CSK took the upper hand as MS Dhoni marshalled the Super Kings closer to the target. Against a quality RCB attack, he remained unbeaten at 70 off 34 balls as CSK won the game by 2 wickets and Dhoni ended his innings with a strike-rate of 205.88.

2) Dhoni’s 84* off 48 in 2019 IPL

A year later, MS Dhoni battered his previous performance and played a blinder against RCB once again. However, this knock came in a losing cause. CSK needed 162 runs to win but just like the 2018 edition, they lost a flurry of wickets and at one staged they needed 26 runs in the last over.

Umesh Yadav was the bowler as Thala Dhoni bashed him for 24 runs in the first five balls as CSK were on the brink of a win. However, Umesh kept his calm as Dhoni couldn't clear the fence on the last ball as he remained unbeaten on 84 and fought single-handedly.

3) Dhoni’s 65 off 30 in 2008 IPL

In the inaugural edition of the IPL, MS Dhoni was at his imperial best as the then Chennai skipper smashed a brilliant 65 off 30 deliveries and struck at more than 200. What makes the knock so special was that in those days, striking at 200 was not a common thing, and MS Dhoni did just that.