On Sunday, Chennai Super Kings had the chance to make history by guaranteeing a playoff spot for the first time in IPL 2023. Gujarat Titans, who are currently in first place, missed their chance on Friday when they were defeated by Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. But while facing a revitalized Kolkata Knight Riders, CSK faltered and ultimately lost by six wickets at the Chepauk. With the exception of Shivam Dube, CSK's batsmen shamefully failed to score in their last home game of the season, managing just 144 for 6, which KKR chased down with nine balls remaining thanks to a brave combination between Rinku Singh and skipper Nitish Rana.
Despite the defeat, MS Dhoni seemed to be cheerful. According to tradition, the losing team captain addresses the commentators shortly after the game and before things move on to the post-game awards ceremony. So, the CSK captain came over with the microphone, and Dhoni grinned as commentator Simon Doull asked his first question. The skipper was in splits when the Chepauk fans sent up a thunderous shout that drowned out Doull's speech.
Dhoni approached the speaker after initially indicating that he couldn't hear a word of the question. He then turned up the volume while it was being recorded. Even with the crowd's ongoing “Dhoni” chanting, Doull repeated his query, and this time the captain was able to hear it.
“One of those days when you win the toss and choose to bat first and realize it is a 180 wicket as soon as the first ball is bowled in the second innings. I don't believe we could have reached 180 if we had batted first. I believe the dew was a significant factor. The first innings had a lot more purchase for the spinners than the second innings, and that's what really got to us, according to Dhoni.
As KKR was reduced to 33 for three in the fifth over, the CSK bowlers made a promising start in defending the low total. However, an impressive partnership of 99 runs between Rinku and Rana, both of whom scored their half-centuries, helped KKR negate the CSK spinners through the middle overs and set up a desperately needed victory.
