The 40-year-old Dhoni produced a melancholy short innings (18 not out off 6 balls) Chennai Super Kings They beat DC by four wickets in Qualifier 1 here on Sunday night in their ninth IPL final.
13 runs needed in the last over, Dhoni hit a square cut, a little luck went his way and then pulled DC’s best bowler Tom Curran for the most famous T20I boundary in recent times.
“M S Dhoni Something is different, everyone knows this. We have seen him finish matches many times and it is not new for him or for us to see him do it. He is definitely a dangerous player whenever he bats.
“I feel very fortunate to have been in this environment and got to see him as a batsman and a leader. He took the game away from us,” Shaw said in a release issued by his franchise.
Shaw (60 off 34 balls) and captain Rishabh Pant (51 off 35) scored a stroke-filled fifty to guide DC to a challenging 172 for five before CSK chased down a total in 19.4 overs.
And Shaw said it was difficult for the team to digest last night’s loss.
“At this point in time, we have to support each other. The whole team takes responsibility for our performance, whether we win or lose. We will try and come back stronger in the next match. It is a difficult loss for the team to digest. ..
“However, we have one more match through which we can qualify for the final and I believe in everyone in the team. They are all great players – talent and skill-wise. I really believe that we are in it. Can do something special. Next match and reach the final,” he added
Talking about his innings, Shaw felt that he should have played longer. DC still have a chance to make the finals as they take on the winner of Monday’s Eliminator in Qualifier 2 on Wednesday.
“I am happy with my innings, but I think I should have played longer. It is a lesson for me. When I am in the same position again, I will try to bat longer.”
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