Mohammad Kaif's Intriguing "Keep MS Dhoni Indoors" Theory On Pat Cummins' On-Field Act

The Chennai Super Kings vs SunRisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 match saw some brilliant batting by the latter as they romped to a six-wicket win. SRH's heavy pounding with the bat could not be stopped by the CSK bowlers as the side slumped to a second successive loss. After the loss, SRH climbed up to the fifth place in the IPL 2024 points table while CSK remained static at the third position. Apart from the usual contest between ball and bat, the match saw an interesting incident.

There was a point in the innings in the 19th over of the CSK innings when Ravindra Jadeja got in the way of Bhuvneshwar Kumar's throw aimed at the stumps. SRH's Heinrich Klaasen also looked like signalling that he might be obstructing the field. But SRH skipper Pat Cummins withdrew the appeal.

Former Indian cricket team star Mohammad Kaif had an interesting take on the incident.

"Two questions to Pat Cummins on withdrawing the obstructing the field appeal against Jadeja. Was it a tactical call to let a struggling Jadeja be the crease and keep Dhoni indoors? Would he have done the same if it was Virat Kohli at World T20?" Mohammad Kaif posted on X.

Two questions to Pat Cummins on withdrawing the obstructing the field appeal against Jadeja. Was it a tactical call to let a struggling Jadeja be the crease and keep Dhoni indoors? Would he have done the same if it was Virat Kohli at World T20?

Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 5, 2024

Talking about the match, Chennai Super Kings fluffed their lines during their batting innings and then were struck by a tornado named Abhishek Sharma whose 37 off 12 balls put Sunrisers Hyderabad on course of their comfortable six wicket victory against the defending champions in an IPL match here on Friday.
The SRH bowlers were very disciplined while restricting CSK to 165 for 5 in 20 overs with only 37 being scored off last five overs.

If 37 off last five was a poor effort from CSK, young southpaw Abhishek, who is having a great tournament, also scored 37 but off only 12 deliveries with four sixes to lay the platform. Aiden Markram then anchored a run chase with a 36-ball 50 as SRH knocked off the runs in just 18.1 overs.

His 60-run stand with opener Travis Head (31 off 24 balls) for the second wicket in seven overs after Abhishek pummeled a listless Mukesh Chaudhary, playing his first game, for 27 runs. The match as a contest ended then and there as CSK lost two away matches on trot while SRH have now won both their home games. CSK had a chance first up but Moeen Ali dropped Head off the second delivery bowled by Deepak Chahar.

After that it was mayhem as 23-year-old Abhishek hit two fours and three sixes off Mukesh, who was forced selection in absence of Mustafizur Rahaman, who has taken a one-match break to go home and submit his US visa application. Playing his first competitive game after 16 months, Mukesh was all over the place in his only over and will again warm the benches from next game when Mustafizue comes back.

There was no let up from the Abhishek as he also hammered 'IPL specialist' Chahar for a boundary and a six in the third over but his pyrotechnics ended there as his lofted shot was taken by a diving Jadeja.

With PTI inputs

Topics mentioned in this article

Ravindra Jadeja Pat Cummins MS Dhoni IPL 2024 Chennai Super Kings Sunrisers Hyderabad Cricket