On a rare occasion in the 2024 season, MS Dhoni faced criticism for his actions in the final over of an IPL contest. Dhoni was questioned about his decision to deny Daryl Mitchell, one of the hardest hitters of the ball in world cricket, in the final over of CSK's innings against PBKS at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, May 1.
MS Dhoni faced three dot balls in the 20th over bowled by Arshdeep Singh. After beginning the over with a boundary through the covers, Dhoni could not connect a couple of slower ones from the left-arm pacer. In the 3rd legal delivery of the final over, Dhoni hit a delivery into the deep cover region but did not take a single and give the strike to Daryl Mitchell.
It was comical as Daryl Mitchell ran all the way to the striker's end before he was sent back by MS Dhoni. There was ample time for the two batters to take two runs, but Dhoni looked adamant about not giving the strike away in the final over. Much to the delight of the Punjab bowlers, Dhoni failed to connect after Arshdeep bowled a slower one.
However, Dhoni made amends by hitting a huge six into the stands in the cover region in the penultimate delivery of the over to take the score past 160. He was run-out in the final delivery, getting dismissed for the first time in the IPL 2024 season.
Despite Dhoni getting 14 off 11 in a cameo, the former CSK captain was questioned for denying strike to Daryl Mitchell, who is part of New Zealand's T20 World Cup squad.
It was a strange evening for Super Kings and their think tank as Daryl Mitchell, whom they bought for Rs 14 crore, was sent into bat at No. 8 on a pitch that could have helped his style of play.
Shivam Dube getting out for a duck did not help CSK's cause as their middle-order push went missing. Thanks to Ruturaj Gaikwad's 48-ball 62, CSK posted a total that gave something for their bowlers to work with.
