Run-out of MS Dhoni game-changer for Delhi Daredevils vs RPS: Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami bowled brilliantly at the death and effected a crucial run-out of MS Dhoni, giving Delhi Daredevils (DD) a seven-run win over Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) were cruising with 44 runs needed off 27 balls against Delhi Daredevils (DD) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Ben Stokes was looking in great touch on 33 while Manoj Tiwary was nearing a fifty. However, Mohammed Shami had other ideas and he proceeded to change the course of the match. (Highlights)

Rising Pune Supergiant batsman MS Dhoni (L) walks back to the dugout after being run out by Delhi Daredevils pacer Mohammed Shami’s (not in picture) direct hit in their Indian Premier League match in New Delhi on Friday. (AFP)

In the fifth ball of the 16th over, Stokes clubbed a full toss to long-off only for Corey Anderson to take a well-judged catch near the boundary. After a tight 17th over, which saw five runs, there was a vital moment in the third ball of the 18th over. MS Dhoni, the best finisher in the world, mistimed a pull shot off a slow Shami delivery and the ball went to short fine-leg.(Scorecard)

After setting off casually, Dhoni saw Shami swoop in from short fine-leg and throw towards the bowler’s end. The batsman hustled suddenly but the ball hit the stumps and Dhoni was short of the crease despite the dive.

Shami stated that Dhoni’s run-out was the turning point in Delhi Daredevils securing a seven-run win and denying Rising Pune Supergiant a chance to seal a play-off spot.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Shami said, “The run-out of Dhoni was the game-changer. I wanted to take a chance and have a shy at the bowler’s end. It was 50-50. Since Dhoni is a quick runner, getting him run-out was special.”

The dismissal of Stokes and Dhoni dried up the runs and Rising Pune Supergiant never recovered despite Manoj Tiwary’s 45-ball 60.

“We wanted to give less width to the power hitters of the RPS team and that was executed well. We had a Plan B in place,” the Delhi Daredevils pacer added.

Getting ready for Champions Trophy

Shami, who has been named in the India ODI squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 starting in England on June 1, said that he wanted to spend as much time on the field in order to get ready for the big tournament.

“The more you play, the more you are out on the field, the more confidence you get. I am trying to play and spend more time on the field so that my body gets used to the rigours of fast bowling for the Champions Trophy,” Shami stated.

Delhi Daredevils will play their final league game against bottom-ranked Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on May 14.