In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are scaling heights and they’ve had made it a norm by winning games one after another. Soon after the completion of CSK vs RR IPL 2019 game at Chepauk, visitors’ all-rounder Ben Stokes has hailed MS Dhoni’s hard-hitting prowess apart from the finishing skills.
England pick Stokes has lauded CSK skipper Dhoni for his remarkable show in the twelfth match of the IPL season 12. Dhoni has bailed out his team after a sluggish start when they lost three batsmen at the score of 27.
The 27-year-old Durham-born Stokes has heaped praise on Dhoni for his nonchalant approach. In their third game of the IPL, Dhoni blasted 46-ball 75 which has boosted their first innings total of 175 for five in 20 overs.
While speaking at the post-match press conference, soon after the eight-run loss against the CSK, Stokes maintained Dhoni has made a difference. He added the veteran has taken an onus on himself and played high-quality innings.
IPL 2019: Ben Stokes hints of learning from MS Dhoni –
Interestingly, while heaping praise on Dhoni, Stokes reiterated there’s plenty to learn from the calm and composed character like Dhoni.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing, if you look back at it like that. He just takes it deep as he possibly can. He’s a great person to learn from and watch how he goes about his innings whether it’s setting a total or chasing a total,” PTI quoted Stokes as saying.
The English star said Dhoni is an ace finisher. And him getting a couple of reprieves could change the complexion of the game. He cited Dhoni’s skills have often graced gentleman’s game.
Stokes remarked that by playing a significant role for his team, Dhoni has turned the game on his head. He said Royals’ aim was to get Dhoni at the earliest when he tries to build up his innings with his typical fashion.
“Especially when he comes in early, every team knows what he’s going to try and do to start with and we tried to attack him. Getting him out was our main objective. There was a dropped catch which you can’t blame anyone for – that happens. And the ball hitting the stumps and the bails not coming off,” Stokes said on Dhoni.
Stokes believes one should acknowledge the fact that veterans of the game are bound to rule the roost. He added it was Dhoni’s night in many ways.
“Sometimes you got to hold your hand up and say the best players in the world can do that. He certainly showed that tonight,” Stokes added.
IPL 2019: Ben Stokes speaks about RR’s dismal show –
Meanwhile, Stokes said they can’t afford to lose games, here on. He added if they went on to lose a couple of games in the impending fixtures it will be a tough road to bounce back.
However, he’s focused for the upcoming games following a hat-trick of losses in the ongoing edition of the T20 league. Stokes said they’ve few positives from the games they’ve played so far.
“There is always been one point in the three games were we haven’t been a better team. Losing the first three games you probably would say we can’t (take positives). But we are trying to and there is no point in looking back…Because if we lose 4-5, it’s going to be really tough to come back from that,” Stokes inferred.
When Royals required 12 off six balls, Dwayne Bravo bowled his heart out to eke out an eight-run win. Thus, visitors had to face yet another heartbreaking loss since playing their opener in Jaipur on March 25.
Besides, Royals will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Jaipur on April 2. And, CSK will face Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 3,