Do not ever rule out Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Many have tried, many have fallen...and yet, they never seem to learn. Over and over again, he rocks up to dish it out in his special style and make them eat their words.
Before the Rising Pune Supergiant played Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, Dhoni had a strike rate of just 87.50 in five matches in the tenth season of the Indian Premier League. Before the tournament, he had been removed as captain. The murmurs started. He was no longer the “king of the jungle”.
He walked in with his team needing 90 off 55 balls. The start was again circumspect: 26 off the first 23 balls and the asking run rate soared to unimaginable proportions. Forty-seven was required off 18 balls and...Dhoni took over.
First, Mohammed Siraj was taken for a few. Then, against the best bowler of this tournament and the current Purple Cap holder, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, MS Dhoni turned the clock back. Out came that bat speed, out came those wrists and the ball started disappearing. And just like he’s done so many times before, he finished it off...no, not with a six, but with a four.
Twitter couldn’t stop gushing.
The master still has it. #Dhoni
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 22, 2017
Coolest... Even in 40+ degrees! #Dhoni #IPL
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) April 22, 2017
MS Dhoni is finally back where he belongs!🙏#theboss#RPSvSRH #IPL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 22, 2017
The sleeping lion is awake. Never put a great man down. Dhoni is,was and always will be a class act.
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) April 22, 2017
Dhoni's reaction after winning that game says everything about him. A lesser man would have milked it, or raged. #IPL #RPSvSRH
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) April 22, 2017
Dhoni's not done a Houdini, Dhoni's done a Dhoni! Simply amazing run chase. Arguably the best this tournament #IPL2017
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 22, 2017
Here's The Reason Why #MSDhoni Didn't Score Against Teams Having Weak Bowling Attack.
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 22, 2017
RT If You Love Him!❤️#RPSvSRH #SRHvRPS #Dhoni #IPL pic.twitter.com/uAnoTcjm3U
Of course, everyone wanted a reaction from a very specific person:
Okay bro. We know who generally overshadows whom and who the real king of the jungle is. #DHONI pic.twitter.com/vquk1URiyG
— Jaanvi Singh (@CricketDevotee) April 22, 2017
Turned out he had been converted as well!
Masterful innings by Dhoni. Great to see him back in form. Nobody can be a greater finisher. Takes @RPSupergiants to a nail-biting win.
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) April 22, 2017