Dhoni marks 200th CSK game with win
M.S. Dhoni marked his 200th game for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday with a crushing six wicket Indian Premier League win over Punjab Kings.
Moeen Ali hit 46 off 31 balls as Chennai reached 107 for four to secure their first win of the growing season with 26 balls to spare.
Victory was crucial in relieving pressure on the 39-year-old Dhoni, whose side didn't reach the IPL play offs for the first time last year.
They lost their first game of the growing season against Delhi Capitals.
"It creates me feel very old," joked Dhoni of his landmark game. "It's been a very long journey, I were only available in 2008."
Chennai have won three titles beneath the former India captain but have observed the IPL dominated by arch-rivals Mumbai Indians recently and are wanting to rebuild.
This victory put them among six teams in the eight team Twenty20 league with one victory from two games and Dhoni knows they'll need more consistency to increase their titles.
Punjab made only 106 for eight after Deepak Chahar tore through their upper order, taking four for 13. Punjab were struggling at 26 for five at one stage after being devote to bat by Dhoni in Mumbai.
Chahar bowled Mayank Agarwal with the fourth ball of the innings and quickly added Chris Gayle, caught by a diving Ravindra Jadeja, Nicholas Pooran, caught by Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Hooda, snared by Faf du Plessis.
Punjab then relied on Shahrukh Khan who hit two sixes and four fours in his 36 ball 47 before Jadeja caught him off Sam Curran.
Chennai's batsmen strolled to victory, the only blip coming when India fast bowler Mohammed Shami claimed Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayadu with successive balls in the 15th over.
By that time Moeen, batting at three, had already put Chennai well on course with seven fours and a six before Khan caught him going for another boundary off Murugan Ashwin.
"We were obviously disappointed with the result following the last game, but It was a great end for all of us tonight," said Moeen.
"I'm just really enjoying the surroundings and my role in the team. I really enjoy batting in the most notable three, it's an opportunity to make a direct effect," added the England all-rounder.
