As MS Dhoni turned back the clock last night in Dubai with a brilliant finish against Delhi Capitals in qualifier 1 of IPL 2021, a lot of memories of the past returned afresh in the mind of the CSK fans.
A Twitter user has pointed out a very interesting coincidence that was there in the last night’s qualifier 1 and the qualifier 1 that was played in IPL 2011. In both games, CSK were chasing a target of more than 170 runs. In both the games, Dhoni played a crucial innings and in both those innings, the CSK skipper hit 3 fours and one six.
However, the only difference was that Dhoni hadn’t remained not out in the qualifier 1 of IPL 2011. He had come out to bat with a few overs to go in the chase, and he had played an impact knock, but he was then dismissed by Zaheer Khan.
Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel had also batted wonderfully in qualifier 1 of IPL 2011
Qualifier 1 of IPL 2011 was played between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and CSK and RCB had set a target of 176 for CSK in that game. Suresh Raina came to the party in the top order for CSK and scored 73 off just 50 balls, and Dhoni and Albie Morkel played brisk knocks down the order as they scored 29 and 28 off 19 and 10 balls respectively.
Almost similar kind of pattern unfolded for CSK in qualifier 1 of IPL 2021 as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa had a big partnership in the top order and Dhoni finished the game coming in at no. 7.
2011 IPL Qualifier One:
CSK qualified to Finals with two balls to spare while chasing 170+. Dhoni hit 3 Fours & One SixAdvertisement2021 IPL Qualifier one:
CSK qualified to Finals with two balls to spare while chasing 170+. Dhoni hit 3 Fours & One Six— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 11, 2021
After winning qualifier 1 in IPL 2011, CSK had played RCB again in the final of that tournament and they had won the final to lift the trophy. CSK fans would be hoping that the same thing happens again in the final of IPL 2021.
CSK will now play one of DC, RCB or KKR in the final of IPL 2021 which will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium this Friday. But, before that game, the eliminator and qualifier 2 will be played in Sharjah.
