NEW DELHI: Former India skipper MS Dhoni produced a vintage finishing act, smashing an unbeaten 26 to guide Chennai Super Kings to a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL on Monday. The win ended CSK’s run of five consecutive defeats, with Dhoni and Shivam Dube (43*) stitching an unbroken 57-run stand to help the visitors chase down 167 with three balls to spare at the Ekana Stadium.
Leading the side in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, the 43-year-old Dhoni walked in at No. 7 and lit up the night with a flurry of boundaries — four fours and a six — in a dazzling 11-ball knock. The master finisher silenced critics and fans alike, proving he’s still got the spark when it matters most.
For his game-changing cameo, Dhoni was named Player of the Match, becoming the oldest player in IPL history to receive the award. At 43 years and 280 days, he surpassed Pravin Tambe’s long-standing record.
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Oldest players to win Player of the Match in IPL:
43 years, 280 days – MS Dhoni vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025
42 years, 208 days – Pravin Tambe vs KKR, Ahmedabad, 2014
42 years, 198 days – Pravin Tambe vs RCB, Abu Dhabi, 2014
It was Dhoni’s 16th Player of the Match award as captain, coming after a long gap of 2175 days — nearly six years.
His previous award came in 2019 against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk, where he had smashed a 22-ball 44 and effected two stumpings.
With 17 Player of the Match awards overall as captain, Dhoni continues to hold the record for the most in IPL history.
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