Things haven’t been easy for the defending champions, the Chennai Super Kings. Playing without their strike bowler, Chennai had to wait for five matches to register their first victory. Their second win came on Thursday, April 21st, when MS Dhoni struck a flurry of boundaries to guide his team past Mumbai Indians’ total.

While the road to playoffs looks treacherous, Dhoni’s vintage finishing act provided CSK fans a moment of pure joy in what has otherwise been an unforgiving campaign.

When Dhoni finally came on strike in the 20th over, CSK needed 16 from the last four balls. Jaydev Unadkat’s attempted yorker fell right in the arc of Dhoni, who whacked it over the bowler’s head for a six. Jaydev overcompensated with a slow bouncer, which was pulled over the fine leg for another boundary.

With four required off the last ball, Dhoni squeezed away a low full toss to fine leg to finish the game for his team. 

Dhoni, on his way off the ground, was greeted with a bow from CSK captain Ravindra Jadeja.

Other than the fans, even cricketers were in awe of his finishing. 

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, called him “the greatest last-over hitter,” while Venkatesh Prasad praised his composure.

Soon after finishing the game, Dhoni donned the role of mentor, as young players from both sides swarmed around him for advice.