The astute cricketing brain in MS Dhoni has won the fans across the globe. Known for keeping a hawk’s eye on the opposition’s batsmen, bowlers or fielders, Dhoni has carved out a niche with his sheer leadership role. With the way, Windies star all-rounder, Andre Russell, is thrashing the bowlers in the ongoing IPL 2019, Dhoni has certainly a plan for him during the CSK vs KKR game at Chepauk on Tuesday evening.
While reminiscing about Russell’s knock at Chepauk, last year, Dhoni knows what the muscular batsman brings to the table.
During the eleventh edition of the IPL, Russell slammed 11 sixes. Interestingly, that knock came on April 10, 2018. In that particular breathtaking knock, Russell consumed just 36 deliveries—to slam unbeaten 88 which included a solitary four.
However, considering the heavyweight options available with both teams, it’s seen as a perfect setting for an epic clash at Chepauk. The spin heavy sides are sweating it out in nets to give their best. And, above all eye to maintain the top positions.
Both the table-toppers have played an aggressive brand of cricket to make things equally difficult for distinct oppositions.
Meanwhile, KKR is sitting on the top of perch with their net run-rate of +1.058, whereas, CSK has maintained their net run-rate as +0.158. Both teams have won four and lost a game each in the twelfth edition of the lucrative T20 league.
Does MSD have a solution to tackle Russell power?
In a short video, which CSK has uploaded on micro photo-blogging website Instagram in which Dhoni has been talking about niceties of the game.
In a documentary named as ‘Roar of the Lion’, Dhoni seemed a bit surprised with the way Russell has carried out an assault at Chepauk in 2018
Recently. Russell batted against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 5 in Bengaluru to worsen the case for Virat Kohli-led side.
The right-handed batsman smoked 13-ball 48 which included seven massive sixes.
Concurrently, Russell is fifth on the list with 207 runs in four innings. He has maintained his staggering average of 103.50. With the exceptional strike-rate of 268.83, Russell has further slammed 22 sixes and 12 fours.
On the other side, Dhoni is at 18th spot with 156 runs in four innings. While having his average of incredible 156, Dhoni has scored runs at the strike-rate of 124.80.
The 37-year-old Dhoni, who himself wield a bat like an axe, is a bit baffled with Russell’s pyrotechnics.
Besides, Dhoni would be keen to keep Russell quiet in the much-awaited contest in Chennai on April 9.
“So, do I have to go through the full nightmare? I have had to recall that Russell’s innings. We usually have nine fielders and among them, four are supposed to field inside a circle (apart from the wicket-keeper and a bowler). At the same time, we’re not allowed to station a fielder beyond the boundary ropes. Who’s that player who could smash these (number of) sixes?” Dhoni revealed in a documentary.
“The #Yellove matchday routine! Tune in and watch The Super Kings Show now on Star Sports 1/1 HD! #WhistlePodu #CSKvKKR,” the CSK handle on Instagram wrote with a video.