'This Isn't Acceptable At All': Fans React To Dhoni's Bizarre Strategy In CSK vs GT IPL Match; Gavaskar Fumes

Fans believe CSK skipper MS Dhoni cleverly kept the umpires engaged till the time elapsed, allowing Matheesha Pathirana to bowl the 16th over.

MS Dhoni is widely regarded as someone who can reverse the expected outcome of a game, from a losing position to a winning one with his onfield masterstrokes.

Source : Screengrab taken from Twitter

MS Dhoni achieved yet another milestone by leading four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners to their 10th IPL final, defeating defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) by 15 runs in IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 on Tuesday evening at Chepauk. However, it's not all over for Hardik Pandya's GT as they still have a chance to lock horns with CSK in the summit clash. The winner of IPL 2023 Eliminator (MI vs LSG) will face GT in IPL 2023 Qualifier 2 on Friday. If GT emerge victorious in Qualifier 2, they will clash against Chennai in IPL 2023 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains of all time, someone who can reverse the expected outcome of a game, from a losing position to a winning one with his onfield masterstrokes, remarkable bowling and fielding changes, something which is highly admired by cricket experts and fans. However, one particular controversial incident didn't go down well with the fans and even ex-India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating in CSK vs GT Qualifier 1 match.

During GT's chase, MS Dhoni got engaged in a discussion with the umpires in the 15th over. Initially, it was a bit confusing but later many fans on social media pointed out that it was done deliberately by the CSK captain to waste time. Dhoni wanted left-arm pacer Matheesha Pathirana to bowl the 16th over but the officials denied it, saying that Pathirana was not present on the field for the same amount of time as he had been off it. Following this, Dhoni and umpires got involved in a long debate, resulting in the play getting stalled for almost four minutes.

Fans believe Dhoni cleverly kept the umpires engaged till the time elapsed, allowing Matheesha Pathirana to bowl the 16th over.

Reacting to the incident, Gavaskar on-air noted: "You accept the umpire’s decision. Even if the umpire gets it wrong sometimes in high-pressure situations."

pic.twitter.com/OVAErSazIo

— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) May 24, 2023

Here's how fans reacted to Dhoni's bizzare strategy

Pathirana was out of the field for more than 9 minutes and came suddenly to bowl. Here the rule is that Pathirana should present atleast 9 minutes on the field to bowl his over but what Dhoni was chatting with umpires??
This isn't acceptable at all. pic.twitter.com/NML3LikBc3

— Priyansh (@priyansh_45) May 23, 2023

Ms dhoni vs umpire 🔥🔥
captain cool lost his coolness dady issue again #CSKvGT #qua pic.twitter.com/F0UoIrgkBv

— Somnath Chakraborty (@Somnath44333169) May 23, 2023

MS “The Umpire Bully” Dhoni

— ParteekNotPrateek (@randomcricfacts) May 23, 2023

If this is in the rule its a Bizarre rule. If this is not in the rule then why Dhoni was allowed to stop the play by Umpires ? We do not expect such things from Captain like MS Dhoni. (2/2)#CSKvsGT #iplfinal #IPL2O23

— Pratik Pathare (@PratikTwits) May 23, 2023

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