IPL 2024: MS Dhoni is dismissed against Punjab Kings on Sunday© AFP
The IPL on Sunday witnessed a rare scene. MS Dhoni, a genius in the death overs, fell for the golden duck in a match against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala. Harshal Patel took the wicket as the fans present were shocked. It was the second time in two matches that Dhoni was dismissed in the IPL 2024. Before that, he remained unbeaten for the seventh time in a row. Coincidentally, both his dismissals came against Punjab Kings. On Sunday he was bowled by Harshal Patel but was run out in the last over.
Former Indian cricket team opener Navjot Singh Sidhu had an interesting observation about Dhoni's battle against spin in the previous match.
In that match against PBKS, Dhoni came to bat in the 18th over. In the 19th over, with Dhoni on Strike, Rahul Chahar was introduced. Dhoni could only manage two runs in the over.
They have used Dhoni's own medicine against him to fool him. Take a look at Dhoni's practice. He always hits those long shots in the nets against fast bowlers. He hasn't practiced spin. In the entire tournament, when Dhoni has played six overs, they have all been against the pace. But the captain of Punjab [Sam Curran] played a masterstroke. He employed a spinner,” Sidhu told Star Sports.
“Dhoni wasn't prepared. For seven to eight months he didn't have a spin. It was almost like he was shocked. Tactics are like how you take the sting out of a bee without getting stung. And that's where the game turned.” .And on top of that, Harpreet Brar bowled a faster one to Shivam Cannoned on the stumps.
On dismissing Dhoni on Sunday, Harshal said: “Wicket was on the drier side. I have too much respect for him to celebrate when I take him out (on Dhoni). One of the benefits of playing a day game is that the square is quite calm. So the ball starts to turn. My first over was about the feel of that delivery (slower).
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