Watch: MS Dhoni’s brilliant plan to dismiss Kieron Pollard works wonders for CSK
This is what happens when you have played so many matches against a single opposition and player. We all are aware that MS Dhoni has one of the sharpest cricketing brains, which he uses to great effect to neutralise the opposition. This time, he struck gold with a brilliant plan against the usual suspect Kieron Pollard.
In the game between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, MS Dhoni helped Ravindra Jadeja set up a unique field against the big West Indies all-rounder. The plan worked perfectly as Kieron Pollard smashed the ball straight to the fielder.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings won the toss and invited Mumbai Indians to bat first. Their decision was proved correct instantly by Mukesh Choudhary as the left-arm pacer dismissed both openers, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, in the very first over.
Suryakumar Yadav tried to put up a fight with breezy 32 runs off 21 deliveries. However, he failed to convert his start and got out in the 8th over. Debutant Hrithik Shokeen and Tilak Verma tried to steady the ship for the five-time champions, but Dwayne Bravo outfoxed Shokeen.
MS Dhoni outsmarts Kieron Pollard with a thoughtful field setting
Kieron Pollard could be dangerous towards the end of the innings, and he had troubled Chennai Super Kings in the past numerous times before. Knowing Pollard likes to hit straight down the ground, MS Dhoni planted Shivam Dube at the straightish long-on, right at the boundary.
Kieron Pollard took the challenge and tried to smoke Maheesh Theekshana straight down the ground from the backfoot. However, the ball caught the toe-end of the bat, and Shivam Dube completed an excellent grab at the boundary to send the dangerous Pollard back.
Watch the video here:
After a horrible start, Mumbai Indians managed to post 155/7 in 20 overs. The youngster Tilak Verma played a brilliant fighting knock of unbeaten 51 runs to take the five-time champions to a respectable total.
