MS Dhoni's Tactical Brilliance Keeps Chennai Ahead Against LSG

image-lg14nbwxCSK batters during the game against LSG (AP Photo)

MS Dhoni is known as a mastermind as far as cricketing nous and reading the game is concerned and he displayed that once again at his beloved Chepauk against LSG.  The KL-Rahul led LSG got off to a flier by scoring 80 in the Powerplay in their bid to chase down a huge total of 218.

However, it would have been even worse as LSG were 73 for no loss at the end of the 5th over. MSD then brought his trump card, Moeen Ali to bowl an all-important final over of the Powerplay and Moeen delivered straightaway with a wicket of Mayers who was smashing CSK bowlers all over the park and finally got out on 53 off just 22 balls.

The wicket of Mayers brought CSK and Dhoni back in the game as he operated with spin from both sides with Santner and Moeen Ali operating in tandem. This was Vintage Dhoni captaincy as he choked LSG batters with brilliant field placements and tactics and the team that was 79 for 0 in the 6th over crumbled to 105 for 4 in the 10th over. Interestingly, Moeen Ali was not even used by Dhoni in the first game but today he sensed an opportunity and the off-spinner got four wickets for his side. Moeen Ali-Santner combined together to bowl 8 overs for just 47 runs and picked 5 wickets between them which turned the game CSK's favour.

Stoinis and Pooran kept LSG in the game but both departed after a blistering cameos and the asking rate started to pile up with Gowtham and Ayush Badoni batting in the middle. At the time of writing, LSG need 37 off 12 balls to spoil CSK's party at the Chepauk.