IPL 2016 Match 53: Rising Pune Supergiants vs Kings XI Punjab

Updated: 21 May 2016 19:56 IST - Published: 21 May 2016 11:53 IST

We move on to the next match of the double-header:

GL vs MI, IPL 2016 Live Score | Gujarat Lions vs Mumbai Indians Live Cricket Scorecard & Ball by Ball Commentary | Sportskeeda.com Read

Dhoni: "It was a fantastic game. Looking at the 14 games, we were never completely outplayed. It gives us the confidence next year, and it will be a completely different scenario next time. Right from the start, bowling was one department where we were worried. When we haven't picked up wickets with the new ball, we have struggled. There have been glimpses of talent, and we'll have to show it on the field. People will come with new plans every year and you have to adapt. This IPL, the best kind of wickets were provided."

Just to come to terms with the magnanimity of Dhoni's last-over effort, here is a stat.

23 runs by RPS is the most runs chased in the final over in IPL history. Prev best: 21 by DC v KKR, 2009,RCB v PWI, 2012and MI v KKR, 2011
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 21, 2016

MS DHONI has been adjudged as the MAN OF THE MATCH! 64 runs off 32 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes.

23 off 6? No problem. 12 off 2? No problem. 6 off the last ball? Are you kidding me? No! Nobody is kidding anyone. It's Dhoni kidding around with the bowlers. If there was a person in the stadium who didn't believe that Dhoni could actually do it, he would start believing it now!

And the @msdhoni legend continues. Doff that hat
— Sundar Raman (@ramansundar) May 21, 2016

DHONI DHONI DHONI! Keep chanting the name for as long as you can! He unleashed the best in the very last match. As if he was waiting for the very last match to vent out the frustration of the season. Three sixes in the last over, when Pune needed 23 runs off 6.

19.6 Axar to MS Dhoni, SIX! PUNE WIN! STAND AND DELIVER! Dhoni has done it the way only he can! He was ready to swing at anything and hammers the full ball on leg stump with his trademark helicopter stroke over deep midwicket for a gigantic six to finish the game.

The dogs of war have been unleashed. Even the dogs cannot contain the excitement. A dog is out there in the middle.

19.5 Axar to MS Dhoni, SIX! Shorter, Dhoni swings his bat in line and swats it to deep square leg. Insane power from Dhoni! WOW! Dhoni is rolling back the years. Short ball and slammed over midwicket for a monstrous six.

19.4 Axar to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Width outside off, and Dhoni slaps that over covers for a magnificent boundary. What is Dhoni doing? Is he finishing the game or what? This is madness. Has Vijay given away the game by asking Axar to bowl the last over?

19.3 Axar to MS Dhoni, no run, slaps a wide ball outside off to a diving Amla at deep cover. Doesn't take a single when he could have easily taken two. He is trusting his abilities. But is he taking too big a risk?

19.2 Axar to MS Dhoni, SIX! In the slot, Dhoni hoists it over midwicket. That was LONG and HIGH! Dhoni unleashes the beast within himself and hits a 95m six over long on. Length ball, a cardinal sin at this stage by Axar.

19.2 Axar to MS Dhoni, WIDE! Outside leg.

19.1 Axar to MS Dhoni, no run, short, pulled to deep midwicket. Denies a single.

Axar Patel to bowl the final over.

23 runs need off the last over. Has Mohit swung the game back in Punjab's favour?

18.6 Mohit to MS Dhoni, 1 run, one more yorker outside off, Dhoni digs it out to long off and saunters across to retain strike.

18.5 Mohit to MS Dhoni, no run, scorching in-swinging yorker. Dhoni cannot do anything with it. Puts his bat in time. Outstanding yorker by Mohit. Just at the centre of the crease. Even Dhoni had to dig it out.

18.4 Mohit to MS Dhoni, no run, slower ball, pulled but straight to square leg. He doesn't take a single.

18.3 Mohit to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Low full toss outside off, Dhoni slices it with a one-handed swing over point. The top hand came off on contact. Incredible batting by Dhoni. He is targeting that area behind point, as for the third time in the innings, he carves the ball behind point, and the ball went like a bullet for a boundary.

18.2 Mohit to Ravi Ashwin, 1 run, full outside off, sliced straight to point.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the new batsman.

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