Watch: MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming Fume After CSK Star's Fielding Error Gifts PBKS Four At Crucial Juncture

01.05.2023 - 13:53 sports.ndtv.com

Punjab Kings sealed a stunning four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings with Sikandar Raza holding his nerve to knock off the required three runs off the final ball in a tense Indian Premier League match at Chepauk on Sunday.

Chasing 201 for a win, Punjab needed nine runs from the final over bowled by Matheesha Pathirana who conceded just two from the first three deliveries.

But Raza remained calm under immense pressure, scoring two runs each from the next two deliveries. Raza (13 not out) sent the final ball towards the boundary but Maheesh Theekshana stopped it just before the ropes in a brilliant fielding effort but by that time the PBKS batters had completed three runs to the stunned silence of the home crowd at Chepauk.

The thrilling encounter also saw MS Dhoni and CSK coach Stephen Fleming losing their cool. The incident took place in the 16th over of PBKS' chase when a fielding blunder from CSK and Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana at short third awarded Punjab Kings a boundary.

cricket MS Dhoni watch Liam Livingstone Devon Conway Stephen Fleming Matheesha Pathirana India Sri Lanka Chennai

The entire cricketing world is asking the same question, "Is MS Dhoni going to retire after this IPL season?". Though only Dhoni knows whether he has another Indian Premier League season in him in the Chennai Super Kings shirt, opinions and predictions over his future have been coming in from all corners of the cricketing fraternity. However, CSK opener Devon Conway is hoping this isn't Dhoni's last season. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was also a part of the chat with Conway after the team's win over CSK, said that Dhoni has 5 more years in him.

IPL 2023: the state of play, stars so far and how England players are faring

Not much, just the first 68 games. The IPL is a curious beast: the biggest tournament in cricket, the richest in any ballgame, the greatest show in Asia – and yet eminently missable. Its bosses at the Indian board still haven’t worked out how to give it meaning. It works for the players and coaches, who get massive fees and two months of further education. To most cricket lovers, though, the teams still feel like mere franchises and the story of each game is written in invisible ink.

Watch: MS Dhoni's Smart Reply On "You've Just Got To Win" Query Ahead Of Crucial Clash vs DC

MS Dhoni meant business in Chennai Super Kings' crucial IPL 2023 game against Delhi Capitals. Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first against Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday. This match is crucial for CSK's playoff chances, which is sitting at the second spot with seven wins, five losses and one no result from 13 matches. They have a total of 15 points and lost their last match to Kolkata Knight Riders. DC is out of the competition, have five wins, eight losses from 13 games, with a total of 10 points. They won their previous match against Punjab Kings and could spoil CSK's party.

Watch: "Confusion Written All Over It" - Comedy Of Errors During PBKS vs DC Game

The quality of fielding that the Indian Premier League showcases has set a new standard. However, some odd days also see some massive fielding blunders, which is nothing new in the game of cricket that comes with its own sets of highs and lows. On Wednesday, an IPL 2023 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals witnessed an incident with a series of fielding mistakes that eventually gave rise to the comedy of errors. It happened on the final ball of the 11th over of PBKS' batting.

Watch: Ricky Ponting, Kuldeep Yadav Left Fuming As Delhi Capitals Drop Multiple Catches Against Punjab Kings

Delhi Capitals pulled off a thrilling win over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Wednesday but their fielding effort left a lot to be desired. After posting a mammoth total on the board, DC looked disciplined in their bowling but their blunders on the field allowed PBKS to claw back in the game. Liam Livingstone was dropped by Anrich Nortje at deep mid-wicket while Yash Dhull could not complete an easy catch in the deep to dismiss Atharva Taide. Even a run-out chance went begging as both batters were left stranded but the throw from the fielder was totally wayward.

"I Could Never Captain Like MS Dhoni Or Virat Kohli": Faf du Plessis To NDTV

One of the greatest captains in the game of cricket, MS Dhoni is in the 'final phase' of his career, as he himself suggested. Though it isn't known if the Chennai Super Kings skipper plans to play another season in the Indian Premier League, fellow cricketers have been paying their tributes to the 'Thala'. In an exclusive chat with NDTV, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis, who spent most of his IPL career playing for the Chennai franchise, had nothing but praise for the CSK skipper.