India's cricket icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni came out to bat at number 9 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) when it was too late for a turnaround in favour of the yellow brigade in a high-voltage match in the 18th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL).

Dhoni, who came out to bat when CSK was tottering at 99-7 chasing 197, smashed three fours and two sixes to score unbeaten 30 from 16 balls.

Dhoni, whose knock was too little, too late for CSK, became the second highest scorer for the team.

In history, CSK lost a match at their home turf against RCB for the first time since 2008 on Friday.

Netizens slam Dhoni

How did the match progress?

Captain Rajat Patidar’s half-century and Josh Hazlewood’s three-wicket haul were instrumental in RCB’s commanding performance.

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first against RCB. RCB began their innings with Phil Salt continuing his explosive form from the previous match. Salt quickly took on the CSK bowlers, but his fiery knock was cut short when Noor Ahmad, who was also in good form, sent him back for 32 off 16, thanks to a lightning-quick stumping by MS Dhoni.

Kohli took his time to settle, while Padikkal targeted Ravindra Jadeja, striking 14 runs in his first over. However, Padikkal’s cameo ended at 27 off 14 balls, courtesy of Ravichandran Ashwin’s sharp bowling and Gaikwad’s low catch at covers. This brought captain Patidar to the crease, where he benefitted from a few dropped catches by CSK fielders.

While Patidar found his rhythm, Kohli attempted to accelerate but was dismissed for 31 by Noor Ahmad, who claimed his second scalp. Liam Livingstone, looking dangerous, smashed a six off Noor but was cleaned up immediately, giving the left-arm spinner his third wicket. Patidar, however, remained RCB’s anchor, scoring a crucial 51 off 32 balls to ensure stability in the middle overs.

Despite a late surge, Matheesha Pathirana’s exceptional penultimate over (1 run and 2 wickets) put RCB under pressure, dismissing both Patidar and Krunal Pandya. In the final over, Tim David finished things off in style, hammering Sam Curran for three sixes. RCB ended their innings at a challenging 196/7, a total that seemed defendable on a tricky Chepauk pitch.

RCB’s bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, gave the visitors a dream start. Hazlewood, utilizing his height and accuracy, delivered a fantastic second over, removing both Rahul Tripathi and CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad with back-of-a-length deliveries. Bhuvneshwar then trapped Deepak Hooda, leaving CSK struggling at 30/3 in the powerplay.

Rachin Ravindra tried to anchor the innings but kept losing partners. Sam Curran’s attempt to counter-attack ended prematurely, as he holed out off Livingstone’s bowling. At 65/4 in 10 overs, CSK needed a big partnership, with Ravindra and Shivam Dube at the crease.

Just as Ravindra and Dube looked to rebuild, Yash Dayal dismantled CSK’s hopes in a single over, knocking over both set batters and effectively sealing the game for RCB. Ashwin departed soon after to Livingstone, leaving CSK in deep trouble.

With the match slipping away, MS Dhoni’s arrival at the crease electrified the Chepauk crowd. While Jadeja struck a few late blows, he too fell to Hazlewood, who finished with exceptional figures of 3/21 in four overs.

Though the result was inevitable, Dhoni provided a vintage cameo, smashing two sixes and a four off Krunal Pandya in the final over, much to the delight of the home fans. However, it was too little, too late, as CSK finished at 146/8, suffering a 50-run defeat, their biggest IPL loss at Chepauk against any opposition.