MS Dhoni was back at his destructive best as he slammed 37 runs in just 16 deliveries for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday. The former Indian cricket team skipper looked in brilliant form and although his side slumped to their first loss of this year's competition, his knock earned him praise from both fans and experts. Former India batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth was left ecstatic by Dhoni's powerful hitting and during his analysis after the match, he marveled at the fact that the wicket-keeper batter is still able to play such powerful shots at the age of 42.
"I don't know how to express this. On one side, as a MS Dhoni fan, I am very happy, in a sense thala what a knock! At the age of 42, someone is hitting like this, he is hitting them without any worry. Vintage Dhoni! In 2005, he hit an aggressive century against Pakistan in Vizag, he got out for 0 in the first match of his international career. In his second match (fifth), he tore into the Pakistan attack," he said.
"He is hitting sixes over point, he is hitting one-handed six into the mid-wicket stands. He is hitting it everywhere. He tore into the Delhi attack. What a knock! Earlier, he used to access the point region for his big shots on the off-side, but that cover drive, that leaning six was brilliant," he added.
Srikkanth also hailed Dhoni as the best wicket-keeper at the moment and placed Gujarat Titans' Wriddhiman Saha at No. 2. There have been a lot of speculation regarding Dhoni's future in the competition but Srikkanth went on to say that he believes Dhoni will play for two more years.
"In terms of keeping, he is still the best Indian keeper. He is still taking catches nonchalantly while standing up to spinners. He is still India's best. No. 1 is Dhoni, No. 2 is Wriddhiman Saha, they both are still the best in the business. He made it look so easy. He is keeping well, he is batting well, he is running between the wickets well. Is he 42? I think, he will play the IPL for 2 more years, I think," he said.