News Analysis India

Tag: Dhoni

  • Looking At The Glorious Careers Of Two Iconic No.7s As Fifa’s Thala For A Reason Post Goes Viral | Cricket News

    Recently a post by the official account of Fifa World Cup went viral after they posted a photo of global football star Cristiano Ronaldo with the caption- Thala for a reason. Thala for a reason translates to leader for a reason and is used to lovingly refer to Indian cricket star MS Dhoni by his fans. The post by FIFA won the hearts of millions of Indian cricket and football fans around the world and has left the sporting world in awe. MS Dhoni and Cristiano Ronaldo are both iconic players in their respective sports who have made the no.7 jersey their trademark.

    cristiano ronalto

    Cristiano Ronaldo or CR7 is currently in the final stages of his career as he has donned the Portugal jersey for a record-breaking sixth time in the Euros. He is currently leading Portugal in the hopes of winning the 2024 Euros Championships currently going on in Germany. Currently, Ronaldo plays for Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr when he joined them in 2023 after leaving Manchester United. Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and is only second to Lionel Messi. Apart from that he has won the UEFA Champions League five times with Manchester United and Real Madrid. Currently, at the age of 39, Ronaldo still continues to score goals left and right as he has taken his career goals to 895( the most by any player).

    Dhoni

    MS Dhoni is the ex-captain of the Indian cricket team and one of the most successful players in the history of Indian cricket both in terms of being the captain and as a player. Dhoni has led the Indian Cricket Team to several major international trophies which include the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011, The T20 World Cup in 2007, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. In IPL terms, Dhoni has led his side Chennai Super Kings to five IPL trophies and is one of the most decorated players in the tournament. Across all formats, Dhoni has played 538 International matches in which he has scored 17266 runs. An electric wicketkeeper behind the stumps, Dhoni is a legend of Indian cricket.

  • ‘MS Dhoni told me…’, pitch invader reveals chat with MS Dhoni during IPL 2024 | Cricket News

    In the realm of cricket, moments of genuine human connection often overshadow even the most thrilling displays of athleticism. Such was the case during the IPL 2024 clash between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium. Amidst the fierce competition, a heartwarming exchange unfolded, showcasing the compassionate spirit of none other than the legendary MS Dhoni.

    The fan who invaded the pitch to meet MS Dhoni had breathing issues.

    MS when the fan tells him this – “I will take care of your surgery. Nothing will happen to you, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you”. __pic.twitter.com/9uMwMktBxZ

    — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 29, 2024

    The Unexpected Encounter

    As the match between GT and CSK reached a crescendo, the spotlight shifted from the players to an unexpected protagonist: a devoted fan named Jaykumar Jani. Hailing from Rabarika village in Bhavnagar district, Jani seized a fleeting opportunity to realise his dream of meeting his idol, MS Dhoni. Disregarding security protocols, Jani invaded the pitch with unwavering determination, his sole mission: to express his admiration for the revered former Indian captain.

    Dhoni’s Grace Under Pressure

    In a moment that transcended the boundaries of the game, Jani approached Dhoni, his heart brimming with reverence. Despite the intensity of the match and the urgency of the situation, Dhoni’s response was a testament to his grace under pressure. With characteristic composure and humor, Dhoni embraced the fan, offering solace amidst the chaos.

    Hope

    What began as a simple interaction between a fan and his idol soon unfolded into a touching display of empathy and kindness. Upon learning of Jani’s health struggles, Dhoni’s compassion shone brightly. In a heartfelt gesture, Dhoni assured Jani that his medical expenses would be taken care of, offering not just financial support but also a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.

    The Power of Connection

    As Jani was escorted off the field, Dhoni’s gesture reverberated far beyond the confines of the stadium. The exchange captured the essence of sportsmanship, highlighting the profound connection between players and fans. In a world often defined by rivalry and competition, Dhoni’s act of generosity served as a reminder of the enduring power of human connection.

    Looking Ahead

    As the IPL season draws to a close, speculation looms regarding Dhoni’s future in the league. Despite rumors of retirement and injury concerns, Dhoni’s impact transcends the boundaries of the pitch. Whether he returns to the field or embarks on a new chapter, one thing remains certain: MS Dhoni’s legacy extends far beyond his achievements on the cricket field.

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024: MS Dhoni casts his vote in Ranchi, crowd loses control – WATCH | Cricket News

    Former India skipper MS Dhoni cast his vote during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 in Ranchi on Saturday. Recently, Dhoni took part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, Dhoni’s CSK failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the 17th season of IPL after conceding a 27-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

    Earlier in the day, former India cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Kapil Dev, and fomer grappler Babita Phogat cast their votes in their respective constituencies. (Blame Game In Rajasthan Royals Camp After Defeat Against Sunrisers Hyderabad In IPL 2024 Qualifier 2, Captain Sanju Samson Says THIS)

    Voting for the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections began early in the morning on Saturday across 58 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements. The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote.

    Look at the crowds when MS Dhoni came to cast his vote in Ranchi.

    Dhoni is an emotion for fans… pic.twitter.com/dFkWdTzJf5 Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) May 25, 2024

    The seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi are Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi, and West Delhi. Over 11.13 crore voters will be exercising their franchise in the sixth phase of the general elections to decide the fate of 889 candidates including two former Chief Ministers – Manohar Lal Khattar contesting as the BJP candidate from Karnal and Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP nominee from Anantnag- Rajouri.

    A total of 20,031 polling stations have been set up in the state. These include 19,812 permanent and 219 auxiliary polling stations. 5,470 polling stations have been set up in urban areas and 14,342 polling stations have been set up in rural areas.

    Over 11.13 crore voters will be exercising their franchise in the sixth phase of the general elections to decide the fate of 889 candidates including two former Chief Ministers – Manohar Lal Khattar contesting as the BJP candidate from Karnal and Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP nominee from Anantnag-Rajouri.

    The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls includes eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and eight in West Bengal.

  • Garuda Aerospace deploys drones to support rescue efforts in flood-hit Assam

    By PTI

    CHENNAI: Drone start-up Garuda Aerospace has deployed emergency delivery drones in Assam to support the rescue efforts, following heavy floods and landslides in the state, the company said on Friday.

    According to the city-based company, the drones were used to deliver emergency food and medicine packets to people affected by the floods.

    “Garuda Aerospace has deployed White Knight Delivery Drones in Assam to support the state disaster management department’s rescue efforts amid the ongoing floods and landslide situation,” a company statement said.

    According to Garuda Aerospace Founder-CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash, the White Knight Drones were used extensively during the Covid-19 enforced lockdown to deliver medicines and other emergency supplies in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

    ALSO READ | Dhoni invests in drone start-up Garuda Aerospace, roped in as brand ambassador

    Recently, food aggregator Swiggy partnered with Garuda Aerospace for taking up delivery of packages for their Instamart Dark stores through drones, the statement added.

    The flood situation in Assam was critical on Friday with 45.34 lakh people reeling under the deluge, officials said, adding that the toll has risen to 108 with seven deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

    The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers along with their tributaries are in spate, even as floodwaters started receding from few areas, they said.

  • Data and analytics can’t replace experience, says CSK coach Fleming

    Express News Service

    CHENNAI: In 2008 at Nagpur, Sourav Ganguly played his last Test against Australia under MS Dhoni. The hosts had won convincingly. After the match while addressing the media for the last time Ganguly was asked to comment on Dhoni’s captaincy.

    “Dhoni’s captaincy is just like mine. He does not believe in the drawing board and leads by instinct. India is in safe hands,” Ganguly had said.

    True to the current BCCI president’s words Dhoni’s success as a captain across all formats has been his ability to read the situation well, lead by instinct and gut feeling. This formula has also been the reason behind the success of Chennai Super Kings over the years.

    On Friday night at Dubai Chennai defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs to secure its fourth IPL title. Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming who has been with the Chennai franchise both as a player and as a coach stressed the same point that Ganguly had once mentioned about Dhoni.

    From being in the dumps last season, CSK rose like a phoenix to annex the crown this year. CSK has often been criticised for persisting with ageing players when the format was all about youth. But Fleming revealed that his team values experience more than any data analytics.

    “There was criticism about the age of our squad but it’s rewarding to finish the four-year cycle with the trophy. We have had a number of finals, but crossing the line is what you want to conquer. There has been a bit of criticism about the age of players in our side, but the players have stepped up. We value youth, but the experience is very important. We don’t go too deep into the numbers, analytics but are a team more on instincts. Yes we are a bit old school in that sense but it works for us in this group,” said Fleming after his team’s sensational win.

    Fleming as the captain of New Zealand has been part of several victories. As a coach of CSK he has been part of four title triumphs.

    “It is very hard to rank them (the titles). It is also special because you work so hard and the result is due to a lot of hard work, so they (the titles) are all very special. But I think the one win in 2018, coming back was very emotional but there is a lot of hard work in this one (2021). I don’t think a lot of people had any hopes for us to be able to maintain our competitiveness during this cycle. We were pretty much written off,” he said.

    “So there is a little bit of satisfaction around that and a lot of pride in what the players have been able to achieve and maintain the standards over a number of months and that was a challenge for an ageing side. I am really proud about what they did and in the way they played,” added Fleming.

    Fleming believed that the title was a recognition of the hard work that the team put in and hinted that there could be a few changes in the composition of team in the next edition.

    “There is emotion around, I think when you get to an end of a cycle you are not going to get some players back, so there (was) some emotions around these last games. When you win it, it is a celebration and also recognition of what players have put in. Chennai always had a system or belief that you maintain players and keep them with you for a long period of time and get the best out of them. There are some players that have been with us for a long time.

    “It will be interesting to see over the next few months how it pans out but most teams are probably going to have a bit of change to them,” insisted Fleming.

    Ruturaj Gaikwad was in fabulous form this season and ended up as the highest run-getter. Faf du Plessis reserved his best for the final by making a match-winning effort of 86 off 59 balls.

    Fleming admitted that the opening partnership between South Africa’s Faf du Plessis and the talented Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of the reasons for the team’s success.

    “Yeah, I do see him (Gaikwad) as the next star of Indian cricket. He (Ruturaj) is an absolute superstar already in my eyes. When we introduced him last year, people were a little bit critical but we (had) such high expectations from him. We are really delighted that he finished off the season so well. He is a wonderful kid.”

  • Thakur turns things for CSK to lift fourth IPL trophy beating KKR by 27 runs

    By Online Desk

    DUBAI: Pacer Shardul Thakur took three wickets to help Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after a solid start in the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 here at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.

    Openers Venkatesh Iyer and Shubnam Gill scored fifties to give their team a headstart to chase target 193 but rest of the batting line up faltered quickly in the second half the innings which ended with 165 runs.

    Thakur took Iyer’s wicket to break the opening partnership which was the turning point of the game.

    Earlier, CSK opener Faf du Plessis scored 86 not out to lead the team to target of 192/3 against KKR.

    Openers Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad gave the three-time champions a solid start which was backed by quick-fire innings by Robin Uthappa and Moeen Ali.

    In-form Faf du Plessis saved his best for the last with a blazing 86 off 59 balls as Chennai Super Kings posted a formidable 192 for 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL final here on Friday.

    It was a ‘Daddies’ Day Out’ in the true sense as 37-year-old du Plessis, along with 35-year-olds Robin Uthappa (31 off 15 balls) and Moeen Ali (37 not out off 20 balls), set up a target for KKR which they would find difficult on a big Dubai International Stadium ground with premier batsman Rahul Tripathi injuring his calf muscle.

    For KKR’s bowling unit, only Sunil Narine (2/26 in 4 overs) getting his length and variations in pace right.

    (With PTI inputs)

  • IPL 2021 final: Du Plessis leads the way for Chennai Super Kings, 193 target for Kolkata Knight Riders

    By Agencies

    DUBAI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Faf du Plessis scored 86 not out to lead the team to target of 192/3 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 here at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.

    Openers Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad gave the three-time champions a solid start which was backed by quick-fire innings by Robin Uthappa and Moeen Ali.

    KKR’s bowlers had an bad on the field with the exception of Sunil Narine, who grabbed 2 wickets. 

  • IPL 2021 final: Kolkata Knight Riders win toss, opt to bowl against Chennai Super Kings

    By ANI

    DUBAI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the toss and opted to bowl against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 here at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.

    At the time of the toss, KKR skipper Eoin Morgan said: “We are going to have a bowl first. The wicket looks good and there’s some dew around. Eventually, I want to score runs, hope this is the day.”

    On the other hand, CSK skipper MS Dhoni said: “We were looking to bowl first also because we thought seamers get that extra purchase initially, but tosses are uncontrollable. We are prepared for everything.”

    KKR had defeated Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 2 by three wickets while CSK defeated the same opponent in Qualifier 1.

    Playing XI:

    KKR: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy.

    CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

  • IPL final turns into Dhoni vs Morgan tactical showdown

    By AFP

    DUBAI: The Indian Premier League final on Friday will be a clash between two of cricket’s finest tacticians when M.S. Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings take on Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders.

    Between them they have won every major title on offer.

    Morgan led Englad to victory in the 2019 50-over World Cup. Dhoni masterminded India’s wins. He was India’s captain when they won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 and the 2011 50-over title.

    Neither has been a big run scorer in this year’s pandemic-hit tournament, which forced it to be moved to the United Arab Emirates.

    But Dhoni’s Chennai, three-time champions, have been the team to beat this year, the first to make the playoffs.

    The 40-year-old, who will be a mentor for India at the T20 World Cup starting Sunday, has been his usual unflappable self as the tension mounts.

    “Purely from the captaincy point of view who can handle the pressure best, probably has to be Dhoni,” admitted Gautam Gambhir, the former India batsman who led Kolkata to their two previous IPL triumphs.

    Morgan’s Kolkata resumed the tournament seventh out of the eight teams, but went on to win five out of seven games to reach the playoffs.

    – ‘Very clever’ Morgan –

    They knocked out Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in the eliminator and then Delhi Capitals in the second qualifier on Wednesday to reach the final.

    Kolkata advisor David Hussey, the former Australian international, said Morgan has made a huge impact on the team’s results, aided by the break during the IPL’s suspension when a coronavirus surge hit India in April.

    “I truly believe that Morgan is captaining really well, he’s marshalling the troops, he’s tactically very clever. The bowling changes have been spot on. I think that’s contributed to our success this time around,” Hussey said after the win over Delhi.

    Morgan made smart bowling choices on the slow UAE pitches with West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine as the attack kingpin.

    Opener Venkatesh Iyer has emerged as an unlikely batting hero, while Morgan has scored just 129 runs in 16 games.

    The left-handed Iyer, who made his debut for Kolkata in the UAE leg, smashed 55 in Wednesday’s game in a big partnership with fellow opener Shubman Gill.

    Hussey hailed Iyer as “a class player”.

    “He is tall, a Stephen Fleming clone I believe. He has got a big future in the game.”

    Kolkata may be forced to leave Shakib Al Hasan out of the team and bring back Andre Russell, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Bangladesh want to keep Shakib fresh for the T20 World Cup that starts in the UAE after the IPL.

    Ruturaj Gaikwad and South African veteran Faf du Plessis have led Chennai’s batting while Dhoni showed just a flash of his past brilliance when he made 18 off six balls, including three fours, as Chennai beat Delhi to reach the final for the ninth time.

    Chennai are still smarting from their failure to reach the playoffs last season. But Dhoni says key players made use of their time to improve their performances. 

    “That is the reason why we have come back strongly this season,” said the legendary Indian.

    Morgan knows he faces a classic battle in Dubai but knows the IPL can throw up surprises.

    “We would like to keep going, playing against CSK, one of the best franchises in IPL history. Anything can happen,” said the England leader.

  • Robin, Ruturaj spearhead chase, Dhoni finishes off in style as CSK beat DC to reach IPL final

    By PTI

    DUBAI: Chennai Super Kings enter Indian Premier League final after beating Delhi Capitals by four wickets in the first Qualifier here on Sunday.

    CSK reached the target of 173 with two balls to spare with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remaining not out on 18 off six deliveries.

    Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored with a 50-ball 70 while Robin Uthappa contributed a 44-ball 63.

    For DC, Tom Curran took three wickets while Anrich Nortje and Avesh Khan got one each.

    Earlier, Prithvi Shaw top-scored with a 34-ball 60, while captain Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer contributed 51 not out and 37 respectively after DC scored 172 for 5 after being invited to bat.

    Josh Hazlewood was the pick of CSK bowlers with figures of 2/29 while Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo and Moeen Ali took a wicket apiece.

    Brief Scores:

    Delhi Capitals: 172 for 5 in 20 overs (Prithvi Shaw 60, Rishabh Pant 51 not out; Josh Hazlewood 2/29).

    Chennai Super Kings: 173 for 6 in 19.4 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 70, Robin Uthappa 63; Tom Curran 3/29).