In a thrilling encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged victorious against the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 27 runs in IPL 2023. CSK captain MS Dhoni attributed their win not to the expected heroes Ravindra Jadeja or their remarkable batting performance, but to the contribution of Mitchell Santner.

Batting first, CSK set a target of 168 runs, thanks to an exceptional innings. However, the start for Delhi Capitals was disappointing, with captain David Warner being dismissed for a duck. The Delhi batsmen struggled to find their rhythm, ultimately falling short of the target.

During the post-match presentation, MS Dhoni shared his thoughts on the victory, saying, “It changed a lot in the second half. We thought it would be slow, and our spinners utilized the conditions effectively. I wanted the bowlers to focus on their line and length rather than just seeking wickets. We believed that 166-170 was a competitive score.”

While Dhoni expressed his dissatisfaction with the batting unit’s performance, he highlighted the positive aspect of Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja getting a chance to bat. As the tournament progresses, Dhoni emphasized the importance of every player gaining valuable match practice.

Speaking specifically about Mitchell Santner, Dhoni stated, “I would have preferred Mitch Santner, who excels on flat wickets with the new ball. He has good control and hits the seam with pace. Gaikwad is batting exceptionally well, and once he starts scoring, he becomes comfortable. Santner possesses game awareness and adaptability, making him an invaluable asset to the team.”

MS Dhoni concluded by praising Santner’s ability to read the game and the importance of such players in a team’s success. His contributions have made a significant impact, and Dhoni is pleased with his own role as captain, focusing on his responsibilities and enjoying the contributions made by his teammates.