IPL 2021: Reaching play-offs means a lot, CSK wanted to come back strong after 2020 – MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni said Chennai Super Kings qualifying for IPL 2021 play-offs means a lot for them as they had promised to come back strong and delivered on the promise with a dominant show that they are known for in the ongoing season. CSK put behind the horrors of IPL 2020 wherein they were the first team to be eliminated from the play-offs race.

Cut to 2021, CSK became the first team to qualify for the play-offs in the ongoing season with 9 victories in their first 11 matches. CSK sealed the berth in the play-offs in style as MS Dhoni hit the winning runs in their 135-run chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sharjah in March 44 of IPL 2021 on Thursday.IPL 2021: SRH vs CSK in Sharjah HighlightsRiding on another fine opening stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis, CSK were on course to ease to the target but a middle-order wobble saw them take the chase to the final over. However, senior batters MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu held their nerves and delivered another convincing victory for the 3-time champions.Contrary to expectations, CSK did not make wholesale changes to the squad for IPL 2021 after a disappointing campaign in the UAE in 2020 wherein they lost out on a play-offs spot for the first time in history. CSK made some valuable additions in the likes of Moeen Ali and Josh Hazelwood and found their consistency back in the new season.IPL 2021: Points tableAfter winning 5 matches out of 7 in the first leg in India, CSK have stitched a 4-match unbeaten run in the UAE this year.”It means a lot, because the last time, we said we wanted to come back strong. We are known for that and there was a lot at stake. You won’t always win games and a lot didn’t go our way last time, and it’s important not to make excuses and we have done that this year.”The boys did well to keep the momentum going, and they’ve taken responsibilities to keep all departments of the game in balance so the players and the support staff get the credit,” MS Dhoni said on Thursday.Glad we rapid the fans’ faith: DhoniMS Dhoni made a special mention about their loyal fans, saying it felt good to repay the faith they had in the team after a disappointing campaign in IPL 2020.”Not much needs to be said of the fans, who have supported us through thick and thin and I’m glad we have repaid their faith,” he added.Dhoni lauded his bowling unit which delivered once again in Sharjah. It was their second win of the tournament at the iconic venue where they had gone winless in 2020.Josh Hazlewood picked up 3 wickets for 24 runs while Dwayne Bravo continued his fine run with the ball, picking up 2 wickets for 17 runs as the two seasoned bowlers broke the back of Sunrisers’ batting unit on Thursday.”The bowlers tried to swing it up front and got hit straight when they pitched it up too much, but then adjusted very well. I told the bowlers that they needed to exploit the conditions in today’s game. If the oddball stopped early on, it started coming onto the bat later,” he added.CSK, who will now look to finish inside the top two spots, will face Rajasthan Royals on Saturday.