Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli lauded Chennai Super Kings (CSK) counterpart MS Dhoni after the latter smashed an unbeaten 70 off 34 as CSK chased down the 206-run target to defeat RCB with two balls to spare.
Dhoni hit the ball over the boundary seven times -- including to seal the winning runs -- while opener Ambati Rayudu slammed eight sixes on Thursday.
“Dhoni is looking in really good touch, he’s hitting the ball really well this IPL but not great to see it against us,” Kohli said.
Dhoni, 36, displayed his signature cool at the crease in a 101-run, fifth-wicket partnership with Rayudu, who hit 82.
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Some have suggested the wicketkeeper-batsman is past his prime but Dhoni’s 209 runs in six games, including two half-centuries, have been critical to putting two-time champions Chennai top of the IPL.
“What’s important in a chase is to know which bowler has how many (overs) left and who the captain will bowl when, and you play accordingly,” said Dhoni.
{{/usCountry}}“What’s important in a chase is to know which bowler has how many (overs) left and who the captain will bowl when, and you play accordingly,” said Dhoni.
{{/usCountry}}“You will win some, you’ll lose some but the job of the finisher is to finish the job and help others.”
Kohli, however, slammed his side’s bowling as “criminal” after the game featured a record 33 sixes.
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“The way we bowled was just not acceptable, giving that many runs in the end was criminal,” he said.
Kohli was also docked his match fee of $18,000 because of the Challengers’ slow over-rate at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This year’s IPL is offering $8 million in prize money, including $4 million for the team crowned champions at the May 27 final in Mumbai.