The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League has kicked off in style with Chennai Super Kings wicket-keeper batter MS Dhoni smashing a fifty in the first match. In a rematch of last year’s final, the Chennai Super Kings are battling the Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game of IPL 2022. Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer made their respective captaincy debuts for the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Iyer won the toss and decided to bowl first at Wankhede Stadium. His team got off to a great start as the Chennai Super Kings were down to 61/5 after 10.5 overs. MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja built an unbeaten partnership of 70 runs for the sixth wicket and ensured that the Chennai Super Kings ended with 131/5 on the board.
Umesh Yadav bowled an impressive spell, where he picked up two wickets. Speaking to the broadcasters after the first innings, Yadav said:
“I think it’s quite a fresh wicket. It’s the first match so it’s gripping a touch. There’s good bounce and it helped the fast-bowlers and the spinners. Always nice when you do something good for the team and I picked up wickets in the Powerplay so I’m very happy.”
MS Dhoni remained not out on 50 runs off 38 balls
While the Chennai Super Kings were struggling at one moment, MS Dhoni’s unbeaten fifty ensured that they finished with a respectable total. Even Ravindra Jadeja could not get going, but Dhoni, who was playing his first match since IPL 2021, played a great innings and scored his first fifty of IPL 2022.
Fans on Twitter went crazy after the innings from Dhoni. Here are some of the top Twitter reactions:
What a start of IPL 2022 by MS Dhoni – fifty in 38 balls, his first IPL fifty after 2 years. This is sensational stuff by MS, you can never write him off. pic.twitter.com/n4RN21VIpe
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 26, 2022
MS Dhoni tonight: #CSKvKKR #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/9ULnPyxrne
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 26, 2022
MS Dhoni, at the age of 40, has hit more fours for CSK today.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 26, 2022
Chennai Super Kings was 84 for 5 from 17 overs then posted 131 for 5 from 20 overs – Thanks to main man, MS Dhoni. pic.twitter.com/X3yBrT9Vhb
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 26, 2022
MS Dhoni even at the age of 40 carries hopes of CSK. That is something about the man, what a legend of the game!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 26, 2022
IPL cameraman whenever he sees MS Dhoni tonight 😄 #CSKvKKR #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/LmF49Yr5lA
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 26, 2022
That's a FIFTY from @msdhoni 👏👏
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 26, 2022
Live – https://t.co/b4FjhJcJtX #CSKvKKR #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/hIilac4AKo
Wankhede and MS Dhoni is a match made in Heaven. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xGIaRVi4bL
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) March 26, 2022
Last 8 Balls by MS Dhoni
— CSK Fans Army™ 🦁 (@CSKFansArmy) March 26, 2022
4, 1, 4, 0, 4, 1, 4, 6 🦁🔥#WhistlePodu | #CSKvKKR
The Finisher MS Dhoni 🔥🔥#CSKvKKR #KKRvCSKpic.twitter.com/hDruGQljD8
— CRICKET VIDEOS 🏏 (@AbdullahNeaz) March 26, 2022
