CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress / ITDC News Bhopal: The crowd at Chepauk got their money’s worth as Chennai Super Kings produced a dominant show to outclass Kolkata Knight Riders for their third win of IPL 2024. The icing on the cake was their former captain MS Dhoni walking in to bat with just three runs needed as the crowd went berserk, offering their Thala a roaring reception.
After CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad hit the winning boundary that completed the formality with the home team winning by seven wickets, the fans were treated to another special moment when former India teammates Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir shared a warm hug before exchanging few words during the post-match customary handshakes.
Gambhir, who joined KKR in the role of mentor ahead of the season, was in the opposition dug-out as he watched CSK end KKR’s unbeaten start to the season.
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Before the match, Gambhir had heaped high praise on Dhoni, calling him the most successful captain in Indian cricket history.
“MS is probably the most successful captain India will ever have. I don’t think anyone can ever can reach that level, winning three ICC trophies. People can win overseas, people can win as many Test matches, but it cannot get bigger than three ICC trophies,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.
Gambhir and Dhoni played the starring roles with the bat for India when they beat Sri Lanka in the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup. Gambhir made 97 while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 91.
While the duo teamed up to bring home two world titles, they turned rivals in IPL and Gambhir says he enjoyed playing against Dhoni.
“In the IPL, I enjoyed every bit of it because I knew that MS had that tactical mindset,” Gambhir said. “He was very good tactically, knew how to control the spinners, knew how to set the field against the spinners, and probably would never give up as well. He batted at No. 6 or 7 and knew that till the time he is there, he can finish off the game, even if he needed 20 runs in one over.”
