XtraTime Web Desk: Chennai Super Kings for the first time in the ongoing IPL 2020 looked like a team on a mission. The Dhoni led franchise registered a comprehensive 10 wickets win over Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Stadium. It was the second time they had such a big win and that too against the same opponents in 2016. The architects of the massive CSK win were the two old warhorses Shane Watson (83* off 53) and Faf du Plessis (87* off 53). The duo put on an unbeaten 181 runs for the opening wicket to help CSK achieve the target of 179 runs to win by Kings.
Talking about the win, CSK Captain MS Dhoni said, “Did the small things right. Believed in the process. Were looking for the kind of start today. That’s where experience counts. It’s not about being more aggressive.”
Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson at last came good with the bat in the IPL 2020, cracking a brilliant 83* that included 11 fours and 3 sixes. While in form Proteas batsman Faf du Plessis gave him good company with an unbeaten 87 runs powered by 11 fours and a six.
“Watson was looking good in the nets. But what you want is to replicate that. It was just a matter of time that he gets going. Faf is like a sheet anchor for us. He can always confuse the bowlers with shots like the lap shot. They complement each other well,” said Dhoni during the post match presentation ceremony.
On being asked about the camaraderie between Coach Stephen Fleming and him, Dhoni said, “Fleming doesn’t get the kind of recognition he should. The good thing between us is that we decide each and every thing between us. It’s not like we don’t have debates over selections. But it stays between us.”
Losing Skipper, KL Rahul said, “It’s hard being on the losing side for so many games on the trot. We need to come back harder and better. There’s no rocket science where we are going wrong, it’s the execution. If we don’t get wickets of the class of Watson and du Plessis, we are in trouble.”