When MS Dhoni batted with current CSK coach in last-ball thriller in IPL 2008 [Watch]

Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) veteran MS Dhoni has labored wonders for the franchise in the IPL alongside head coach Stephen Fleming, who took over the position in 2009. The enduring captain-coach duo has guided CSK to 5 IPL titles: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

Whereas they’ve solid a formidable partnership off the sphere, Dhoni and Fleming additionally shared the pitch in the course of the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. One notable match the place the 2 batted collectively was CSK’s recreation in opposition to Virender Sehwag’s Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) on Might 8, on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

After successful the toss, Dhoni opted to area first. Delhi’s openers, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, gave their workforce a stable begin, including 45 runs earlier than the previous fell for 23 off 18 balls. AB de Villiers was dismissed for a golden duck by Albie Morkel, bringing Shikhar Dhawan to the crease.

Dhawan and Gambhir then stitched collectively a dominant 121-run stand for the third wicket off simply 76 deliveries. Gambhir top-scored with 80 off 49, whereas Dhawan contributed 59 off 46, powering Delhi to 187/5 in their 20 overs.

In response, CSK’s opening pair of Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan and Stephen Fleming gave the workforce a flying begin, including 62 runs in simply 37 balls. Vidyut was finally dismissed for 40 off 23 deliveries.

Dhoni walked in at No. 3 and shared a 35-run stand with Fleming for the second wicket. Fleming scored a fast 44 off 28 balls, whereas Suresh Raina was dismissed cheaply for one. Albie Morkel then performed a blazing cameo, smashing 30 off 15 balls, and Dhoni chipped in with a run-a-ball 33.

The match went right down to the wire, with CSK needing 15 runs off the ultimate over. S. Badrinath and Manpreet Gony have been on the crease, with Shoaib Malik set to bowl. Gony took cost, scoring 12 runs off the primary three balls. Badrinath added two runs off the fourth supply, however the penultimate ball was a dot, leaving CSK needing one run off the final ball.

Malik bowled a flighted supply, and Badrinath stepped out to loft it towards deep midwicket. Dhawan made a full-stretch diving try however couldn’t maintain onto the catch, because the batters accomplished a single, sealing a dramatic four-wicket win for the Tremendous Kings off the ultimate ball.

MS Dhoni and CSK endured a troublesome IPL 2025

The Chennai Tremendous Kings endured a disappointing IPL 2025 marketing campaign, ending on the backside of the desk for the primary time in their historical past with simply eight factors.

The season additionally marked MS Dhoni’s return to captaincy after common skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was dominated out attributable to harm following the fifth match. Nevertheless, Dhoni’s return couldn’t reverse the workforce’s fortunes, because the five-time champions continued to battle.

Dhoni featured in all 14 matches however had restricted affect with the bat, scoring 196 runs in 13 innings at a mean of 24.50 and a strike price of 135.17. His highest rating in the season was an unbeaten 30.