IPL 2020: Dhoni Cites Reasons Behind Him Struggling During Fag End Of CSK's Losing Run-Chase Against SRH

Amidst the soaring heat and dry conditions on offer in Dubai, Dhoni who at the ripe old age of 39 is still regarded as one off the fittest cricketers seemed to struggle a lot during the latter half of his 47-run innings and looked in great discomfort during the last two overs of CSK's run chase against SRH In IPL 2020

MS Dhoni (Image: CSK Twitter Handle)

It was a rare sight but a stark reality to see 3-time Chennai Super Kings (CSK) being handed a third straight loss in the ongoing thirteenth season of the IPL as the 'Yellow Army' succumbed to a seven run defeat against Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an IPL 2020 encounter played out at Dubai on Saturday. SRH bowlers combined brilliantly and delivered collectively as a unit to restrict CSK to 157-7 and pull off a thrilling 7-run win after setting Dhoni and Co. a target of 166 CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who staged a late fightback with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to give the 'Whistle Podu' Brigade a realistic chance of pulling off a win had to eventually end up on the losing side. Amidst the soaring heat and dry conditions on offer in Dubai, Dhoni who at the ripe old age of 39 is still regarded as one off the fittest cricketers seemed to struggle a lot during the latter half of his 47-run innings and looked in great discomfort during the last two overs of the CSK innings. With the required run rate climbing to the 18 per run over mark in the last 2-3 overs of the CSK chase, Dhoni could clearly be seen panting while he hustled to convert singles into doubles in an endeavor to step up the scoring rate. It was a rare sight for die-hard 'Mahi' fans to see their beloved skipper bending down and gasping for air many a times.

A much needed 50-run partnership for #CSK ????#Dream11IPL #CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/WiLfp3lr4q

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 2, 2020

In the post match presentation ceremony, Dhoni took the blame for not taking his team across the finishing line as he felt that he struggled to time the bat well on a deck which was on the slower side. The CSK skipper also admitted to have been struggling with breathing issues amid the extremely hot and dry conditions at Dubai . “I am fine, I just tried to get as much as time as possible. It is quite dry out here. So, the throat gets dry and you start to cough. When you have legal signs, you can take some time off,” he said. “I tried to get as much as time as possible. It is quite dry out here. So, the throat gets dry and you start to cough. When you have legal signs, you can take some time off.” “I was not able to middle a lot of deliveries. Was trying to hit it too hard. When the wicket is slightly at the slower side, it is better to time it. Looking at outfield it was subconsciously coming to us to hit the ball hard,” Dhoni said after his side’s third defeat in four matches.