IPL 2021: MS Dhoni says he is 'feeling very old' after reaching 200-game milestone for CSK

The IPL 2021 game between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) saw MS Dhoni make his 200th apperarance for CSK. The side couldn’t have picked a better way to celebrate the milestone, thrasing PBKS in a one-sided game. MS Dhoni joked after the match that reaching the 200-game milestone has him feeling “very old”. “It (having played 200 games) makes me feel very old! It’s been a very long journey. Different conditions, countries; it’s been a very interesting journey,” Dhoni said after the match.

Dhoni also said that this is probably the best wicket that the Chennai groundsmen have come up with in recent times.

“I think 2011 was the last time we were happy with the Chennai wicket. After that however hard the groundsmen tried we were not happy with the wicket. Especially after relaying the ball doesn’t come on to the bat nicely.

“It’s difficult to play big shots. Here we have a very good pitch. There’s movement off the seam, bounce and runs. It’s not swinging a lot, but that’s maybe something to do with the ball. So when there’s no dew it seams for an extended period.”

Chahar has developed as a death bowler: Dhoni

He was also full of praise for Deepak Chahar, whose figures of 4-13 – a career-best in the IPL – saw CSK restrict PBKS to 106-7.

“Chahar is somebody who has developed as a death overs bowler too. If I’m looking to attack and there is movement I try to bowl him out because he gets more out of the pitch. As a bowling unit we have more resources.

“I was looking to attack, so bowled his four overs and it helps in becoming fit because to bowl 4 successive overs you need to be fit.”

He also elaborated on the ploy of using England all-rounder Moeen Ali higher up the order.

“We wanted Moeen to bat high because we wanted to make the best use of resources we have. He’s a very good timer of the ball and plays authentic shots.”