"It could be MS Dhoni's last game" - Aakash Chopra on CSK players in focus in IPL 2024 clash vs RCB

Ahead of the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) IPL 2024 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru on Saturday (May 18), Aakash Chopra has noted that it could be MS Dhoni's swansong in the prestigious league. The cricketer-turned-commentator picked the former CSK skipper as one of the franchise's players to watch out for in the crucial game.

With 14 points from 13 games, CSK are fourth on the points table. While a win or a no result will guarantee them a knockout berth, an RCB win with a decent margin will help them pip the five-time champions for the final playoff spot.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra chose Dhoni as the first Chennai Super Kings player in focus in Saturday's game.

"The last time RCB won at the Chinnaswamy against CSK was way back. Parthiv Patel was playing at that time and he was the Player of the Match. He probably scored a fifty and did a run out of the last ball. 27 or 28 runs were needed off the last over and Umesh (Yadav) was bowling and Dhoni was hitting sixes one after the other. Dhoni has again started hitting sixes," he reasoned (6:10).

"We have seen a new version of Dhoni this year. He is making all of us understand that we shouldn't sit on our laurels. No matter how good the software is, it has to be updated and upgraded. Assuming MS Dhoni is not going to play after this and if this team loses this match, it could be MS Dhoni's last game. It could be a quiet sort of exit from his wonderful career," the former India opener added.

Chopra noted that Dhoni has added new shots to his repertoire this season. He pointed out that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter has hit widish deliveries over the off-side for sixes and even played the scoop shot off Mohsin Khan's bowling against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

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"He has the license to thrill here and he can be successful in that" - Aakash Chopra on CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Aakash Chopra picked Ruturaj Gaikwad as the second Chennai Super Kings player to watch out for in a potentially rain-truncated affair.

"The second will, of course, be Ruturaj Gaikwad because when there are expectations of the match getting shortened, or if it's a do-or-die encounter, you start looking at people who bat at the top. Ruturaj Gaikwad is batting at the top and is coming in good form. We have seen him taking his time in matches before this. However, he has the license to thrill here and he can be successful in that," he said (9:00).

The renowned commentator reckons Shivam Dube will be a crucial player for CSK in Saturday's game.

"The last player from this team could be Shivam Dube. He has been with RCB earlier and is the sort of player who can turn the game. If the match gets shortened, Shivam will be batting at No. 3. I don't know who will open but Shivam Dube will have a massive role," Chopra explained.

With 389 runs at a strike rate of 169.86 in 13 innings, Dube is CSK's second-highest run-getter in IPL 2024. Only Gaikwad (583) has scored more runs for the defending champions this season.