Watch: Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni spilled a seemingly routine chance in the second over of Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase in the IPL 2021 final, dropping opener Venkatesh Iyer to let go of a crucial opportunity.
The 40-year-old wicketkeeper, who retired from international cricket in 2020, featured in his 10th IPL final on Friday. While he did not get to bat, he was in the thick of things soon after KKR’s chase began.
Off the third ball of the second over, Venkatesh Iyer tried to make room off a Josh Hazlewood delivery pitched on length, but the intended cut only carried a thick edge off the bat and flew towards the wicketkeeper.
Dhoni got into position quickly, attempting to reverse-cup the offering, but the ball appeared to jag a bit before hitting his palm and falling out. It ricocheted off the inside of his pads, where Dhoni hopelessly tried for a second attempt, but it eventually fell out of reach. Iyer, who was on zero at that time, smacked the next ball over fine leg for a six.
Replays showed Dhoni mouthing and gesturing ‘swing’, while also capturing the distraught faces of his CSK teammates. Iyer continued for the next nine overs, departing for a 32-ball 50.
