Follow UsChennai Super Kings coasted their way to their 10th IPL final, as they defeated the Gujarat Titans by 15 runs. In the process, they also became the first IPL team to bowl the Titans out. Talking about reaching yet another final, MS Dhoni was wary of not being too complacent.
"I think IPL is too big to say it is just another final, it is no longer eight teams. Ten teams makes it all the more tougher. Lot of character showed by our players. Yes, the middle order hasn't got ample opportunity but they have chipped in," Dhoni said.
After the losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the CSK skipper had mentioned that he also wanted to bowl first.
"It was simple, GT are good chasers so we wanted to get them in. But it was a good toss to lose. The way it turned for 30 minutes, and when Jaddu gets conditions like that, he is hard to hit. Don't forget the partnership between him and Moeen too"
With Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande having the kind of seasons they are, Dhoni stressed on the importance of having a conducive environment.
"We try to create an environment. We reiterate what their strength is. We try to help them improve. And we try to help them explore their bowling. The support staff in Dwayne Bravo, Eric Simmons is also there, but when they are in the middle, they are alone," Dhoni went on to say.
While chasing an above par 172, many Gujarat batters only managed to find fielders at the fence. A lot of it had to with MSD's astute field placements. He not only ensured that fielders are in the right positions, he also ensured that the right fielders were positioned there.
"You see the wicket, you see conditions, and you keep adjusting the field. I can be an annoying captain because I change the field every time. It can be annoying but I believe in my gut feet. That's why, I keep telling the fielders to keep an eye on me," he added.
Having played their last game of the season at Chepauk, Dhoni was asked the customary question on retirement.
"I don't know, I have 8-9 months to decide. I have ample time to decide. The auction is in December. I will always come to CSK. I have been out of home from January, been practicing since March, so we will see," he said.
The GT skipper wasn't too harsh on his team's effort. But, he did feel that they weren't attacking enough while bowling to Chennai batters.
"We were quite spot on, but we made some basic errors. I felt we were exactly 15 runs short. I think, we did a lot of things right. But, we bowled a couple of soft balls in between. We gave some runs in between, we must've conceded 16 runs or so due to our soft balls."
At the end of the 17th over, Gujarat still needed 39 runs of 18 balls. Rashid Khan and Vijay Shankar in the middle meant that this was not out of their hands yet.
However, Pathirana and Deshpande took both of them out in consecutive overs, to seal the game for the home team.
But, Hardik Pandya was confident that his men would be able to pull up their socks in Ahmedabad.
"Don't want to think too much about it, we have one more chance of going to the final. That's the beauty about MS as well. We gave 15 runs extra, lost wickets, and that's the reason we are talking to you right now. Two days later we will give it a crack again," Pandya added.
The win means that CSK get a six day break before they take the field in Ahmedabad for the finals. GT also head back home to take on the winners of the Eliminator on Friday, 26th May.