Dhoni's bullet throw manages to steal some light from Stokes century

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: Monday night was all about Ben Stokes, who played one of the best innings of IPL to take Pune to victory. But MS Dhoni still managed to leave a mark on the match against Gujarat Lions on Pune.

He not only put on a crucial 76 run partnership with Ben Stokes after Pune lost their top four for just 42, he also pulled out another MSD special while keeping wickets. 

Just a week ago Dhoni had ran out Sunil Narine by flicking the ball towards the stumps and on Monday there was no trickery but for simple aim and concentration power. 

In the last over of the Gujarat innings, Dinesh Karthik looked to sneak a cheeky single after Thampi had failed to make contact with the ball. Dhoni, behind the stumps gathered the ball quickly and knocked down the stumps with a bullet throw. Even a dive was not enough for Karthik, he was well short of his ground and he did not even for the third umpire’s decision. 

 

Dhoni later on scored 24 important runs for Pune and provided the much needed support to Stokes, who slammed an unbeaten103 to take his side over the line and one step closer to the playoffs.