MS Dhoni joins Gayle, AB, Virat Kohli in magnificent IPL list after mammoth six in GT vs CSK opener

Dhoni smashed a colossal six in the final over of the innings against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 opener.

The Chennai Super Kings posted a strong score of 178/7 after being invited to bat in the opening match of the 2023 Indian Premier League against Gujarat Titans on Friday. The match saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni returning to action after almost a year as he led the CSK in the new season; the side is aiming for a stronger outing in the 2023 season after finishing a dismal ninth last year, winning only four matches in 14.

MS Dhoni (AP)

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the star of the night for CSK with the bat, as he fell only 8 runs short of repeating Brendon McCullum's feat of scoring a century in the opening game of the season. Gaikwad scored 92 off just 50 deliveries and even as the CSK innings endured a setback with quick wickets in the middle, the side eventually sailed through to score 178 in 20 overs.

MS Dhoni, who batted at no.8 in the innings, also played a little cameo in the end as he remained unbeaten on 14 off 7 deliveries. In the final over against left-arm pacer Josh Little, Dhoni turned back the clock as he smashed a massive six towards deep midwicket; with the maximum, he entered an elite list of six-hitters in the league.

This was Dhoni's 200th six for Chennai Super Kings, and became the fifth batter to reach the mark for a single franchise. Here's the list of all the players who reached the feat with one IPL team so far:

• Chris Gayle (RCB): 239
• AB de Villiers (RCB): 238
• Kieron Pollard (MI): 223
• Virat Kohli (RCB): 218
• MS Dhoni (CSK): 200

Among active IPL players, Dhoni is second in the list – only behind former India teammate and RCB great Virat Kohli.

Earlier in the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad was the star of the night with the bat for CSK, as he scored a valiant 92 off just 50 balls to help the Super Kings steer to a strong total.