Punjab Kings came into this match, at their adopted home in Dharamshala, with a streak of five consecutive wins against the Chennai Super Kings. Stand-in captain Sam Curran won the toss and opted to bowl.

The tourists began well, racing to 69-1 after seven overs before Rahul Chahar (3-23) pegged them back with a double strike. It was still the 13th over when Moeen Ali became the fifth wicket to fall, and CSK promoted Mitchell Santner ahead of MS Dhoni.

Santner fell with four overs left, and this time CSK sent Shardul Thakur, who biffed his way to an 11-ball 17. Harshal Patel (4-24), who had got Daryl Mitchell earlier in the day, produced a beautifully disguised slow yorker. Thakur played too soon and was clean bowled.

That brought Dhoni to the crease amidst the usual applause. This was the first time he batted at No.9 across Tests, ODIs, T20Is, or the IPL.

It made little difference to Harshal, who disguised another slower ball yorker as Dhoni ended up playing too soon. So early was Dhoni in the stroke that he had almost completed his follow-through by the time the ball hit the stumps.

Harshal’s celebrations were muted. “I have too much respect for him to celebrate,” he explained between the innings.

Chennai eventually finished on 167-9 as Ravindra Jadeja top-scored with a 26-ball 43. In response, Punjab were 7-2 after two overs.

Watch Harshal Patel knock out MS Dhoni’s off stump first ball:

Deceived 🤯

Reactions says it all as MS Dhoni departs to a brilliant slower one from Harshal Patel 👏

Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#TATAIPL | #PBKSvCSK | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/gYE5TqnqaY

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2024