M.S. Dhoni opted to pass on the Chennai Super Kings captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the eve of the side’s season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru
This has further fanned speculation about this being his final season in the Indian Premier League
RCB won the toss and opted to bat. Faf du Plessis picked up early boundaries to take his side to 37 runs in four overs
Mustafizur Rahman accounted for Du Plessis in the fifth over, as the RCB skipper holed out at deep cover trying to clear the boundary
But Dhoni’s first contribution to the scoreboard came three deliveries later. Rajat Patidar, yet to open his account, was cramped for room by Rahman and handed a feather to Dhoni
In the next over, Glenn Maxwell edged a delivery into Dhoni’s gloves looking to run it down to third-man off Deepak Chahar
Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik struck a 95-run partnership to help their side put up a fight. But Dhoni had a role in ending the stand off the final delivery of the innings
Karthik missed a delivery outside the off stump and Rawat set off from the non-striker’s end to steal a bye. Dhoni made an under-arm throw at the stumps and caught Rawat outside his crease
The former CSK captain was disciplined with his glovework throughout the innings, allowing only one bye