Virat Kohli searches for MS Dhoni after a distraught MSD declines to shake hands with RCB players
PTC News Desk: In their crucially important final IPL season encounter, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the reigning champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs on Saturday night, securing the final Playoff position. After being asked to bat first, the RCB amassed a strong total of 218 for five, which served as the cornerstone of this significant win—their sixth in a row.
Following that, their bowlers efficiently held CSK to 191 for seven, making it RCB's sixth Playoff berth in 17 seasons.
The players on the team were taken outside for the traditional handshakes after the game by the renowned former captain of CSK, MS Dhoni, who had been removed in the last over of the run-chase. But after pausing briefly to allow the RCB players to finish their joyous celebration of qualifying for the play-offs, Dhoni turned around and asked skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead the handshakes instead.
Before entering the changing room, Dhoni went on to shake hands with a few players from the RCB dugout.MS Dhoni lost his cool , as he can't wait for another 30-45 secs for the handshake with @RCBTweets players !! Unexpected from Mahi Bhai . Many players & fans speaking about this incident now ???? #RCBvsCSK #IPLPlayOffs pic.twitter.com/Cxx3yd4Wtb — Arun Vijay (@AVinthehousee) May 19, 2024
The footage of Dhoni walking back caused a lot of talk on social media. Now, to further stir up the debate, another video has surfaced that shows star RCB batsman Virat Kohli visiting the CSK dressing room and appearing to be looking for Dhoni.
Interestingly, Dhoni shook hands with very few of the RCB players on the pitch, including Kohli. This might have been the reason behind Kohli's admiration for Dhoni, who followed him after the game, suggesting that he wanted to have a personal meeting with the former captain of India.
The starting lineup for the playoffs
With the help of Dhoni's 25 and Ravindra Jadeja's undefeated 42, CSK mounted a heroic comeback in the match that briefly jeopardized RCB's hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Rachin Ravindra's outstanding 61 had previously put CSK in a competitive pace, but Yash Dayal's cool-headed and collected performance in the last over ensured RCB's victory.
Dhoni didn't come on ground for handshake
Then kohli goes in the csk camp to meet him ???? pic.twitter.com/FkEfHhJzrD — Vir8 (@wronggfooted) May 19, 2024
On Saturday night, RCB completed the Playoff lineup. With Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders having already guaranteed play-off positions, they will now await their opponents in the Eliminator match.
KKR will be the team with the best record at the end of the season, and they will be waiting to find out who their opponents will be for the first Playoff game, which is set to take place in Ahmedabad.
- With inputs from agencies
