MS Dhoni’s 11-ball 26* seals a crucial five-wicket win for CSK in Lucknow, but the legend credits spinner Noor Ahmad for his miserly spell
Lucknow, April 15: Veteran cricketer MS Dhoni rolled back the years with a vintage finishing act, guiding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025. But true to his humble persona, Dhoni left fans in awe yet again—not just with the bat, but with his post-match sportsmanship.
After his unbeaten 26 off 11 balls at a blistering strike rate of 236.36, Dhoni was named Player of the Match, making him the oldest ever recipient of the award in IPL history. However, in a heartwarming moment, the CSK skipper questioned the accolade, instead praising teammate Noor Ahmad, who bowled a remarkable spell of 4-0-13-0 at an economy of just 3.20.
“Even today, I was like — ‘Why are they giving me the award?’ Noor bowled really well,” Dhoni said, modestly deflecting attention from his own heroics.
Match Recap: Dhoni’s Calm, Rasheed’s Fire
CSK were in a tricky spot at 115/5, chasing 167, when Dhoni entered. Partnered with Shivam Dube (43 off 37), he calmly navigated the chase, sealing the win in the final over with a trademark finish.
Earlier in the innings, Shaik Rasheed, making a rare appearance in the playing XI, impressed with a crisp 27 off 19 balls, smashing six boundaries and giving CSK a strong start in the powerplay. His composed yet aggressive approach earned high praise from his captain.
“He (Rasheed) has been with us for a few years. This year, he’s batting really well in the nets… He has the capability to dominate with authentic shots,” Dhoni noted.
Takeaways from CSK’s Victory:
- Dhoni’s finishing touch remains evergreen
- Noor Ahmad proves vital with one of the most economical spells of the season
- Shaik Rasheed’s breakout performance bodes well for CSK’s future
- CSK’s bowling unit shows sharp discipline to restrict LSG to 166/7
With this win, CSK snapped their five-match winless streak and secured their second victory of the season, climbing up the points table and reigniting hopes of a turnaround.
Dhoni’s humility, Rasheed’s promise, and Noor’s discipline—it was a perfect blend of experience and youth that gave Chennai a much-needed lift in IPL 2025.