New Delhi: After MS Dhoni rocked Wankhede stadium with his brilliant 26 ball 40 to lead Rising Pune Supergiant to a healthy total of 162/4 after 20 overs. Twitterati, including Irfan Pathan and Michael Clarke hailed the former India captain for his exquisite blitzkrieg. (IPL 2017 - Full Coverage)
RPS rode on fine half-centuries from Manoj Tiwary and Ajinkya Rahane, followed by Mahi's stroke-filled knock in the first qualifier, but it was the man from Jharkhand who stole the show.
Once a FREAK always a FREAK! MS Dhoni on
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) May 16, 2017
Horror over from McCleneghan and a stirring finish from Dhoni. @RPSupergiants have lots to play with now.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 16, 2017
Why can't teams have review system for wide ball as it makes a difference between winning n loosing @IPL #IPL2017
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 16, 2017
Everywhere Ms Dhoni is the King #MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/TVnkR3nL11
— prashant pareek (@prashan235) May 16, 2017
#DhoniMersal Innings from #Dhoni
20runs of 20balls to 40runs of 26balls..
But still he shld score more runs in his 1st 10balls..
— Suresh bhakar (@Sureshb29300147) May 16, 2017
Hey @hvgoenka, how many rts to make MS DHONI the captain of RPS next year? #MIvRPS
— Ankie (@Ankieshekhawat) May 16, 2017
This pic says it all #MIvRPS #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/nZvevgFOO5
— DDLJ FaN (@Love_You_SRK_) May 16, 2017
Tiwary showed his class when the situation demanded, smashing a 48-ball 58, but more importantly putting on two important half-century stands to help the visitors recover from a precarious 9/2 after the second over.
The Bengal right-hander first added 80 runs for the third wicket with Rahane, who scored a 43-ball 56 before stitching a 73-run fourth wicket stand with former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (40 off 26) to take the side to a healthy total.
