‘What a way to intimidate your bowlers’ – Fans react as MS Dhoni says ‘They’ll play under new captain if…’ after Lucknow encounter

On Monday, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Moeen Ali led Chennai to their first victory in the Indian T20 League 2023. Chennai beat Lucknow in a high-scoring match on match 6 of the ITL 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, returning to their Chepauk den for the first time in nearly four years.

Dhoni, on the other hand, issued a warning to Chennai bowlers following the four-time champion’s first win of the season, as the legendary cricketer was dissatisfied with the team’s bowling performance. After Chennai’s impressive win over Lucknow, Dhoni admitted that his bowlers were not disciplined enough in the 12-run victory at Chepauk.

In their first home game of the season, the bowling attack bowled three no-balls and as many as 13 wides. “They’ll have to bowl no no-balls and less wides. We are bowling too many extra deliveries and need to cut them out otherwise they’ll be playing under a new captain,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.

Here is MS Dhoni’s video

A typical MS Dhoni answer.

What a legend. pic.twitter.com/S1zI6RMGlr

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 3, 2023

The former India captain and Chennai Super Kings legend also commented on the Chepauk pitch, which produced an absolute run-fest in the league’s 16th season.

“It was a terrific game, high-scoring game. All of us were thinking how the wicket will be. We had that doubt. It was a high-scoring game. Overall I think it was a perfect first game that happened and it was a full house for the first game in 5 or 6 years since we’ve been here. I thought it will be much slower. It was a wicket where you could score runs but overall it got a bit slower. We’ll have to see how it plays over the next six games at home but hopefully, we can score here,” Dhoni said.

In the meantime, quick-fire knocks from Devon Conway (47), Gaikwad (57), and Ambati Rayudu (27) helped Chennai post the season’s highest total at Chepauk. Moeen Ali took four wickets to help Chennai restrict Lucknow to 205 for 7 in 20 overs, bowling well in the high-scoring game.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Umm and what about his selection of bowlers? He could have easily used Moeen and Santner earlier, god only knows what he was thinking then

— Sushmita 💫 (@DasSushmita) April 3, 2023

It was all visible on his face. He never looked worried even during his prime but today when he has nothing to loose, he looked angry & worried. Those errors by bowlers way even worse than school boy errors.

— The Game (@TheGame070709) April 3, 2023

He was fuming.. control his emotions in this over 😄 pic.twitter.com/Z8sN9YHOFx

— Kri (@KrishK74) April 3, 2023

Good Night Everyone 😌
Sixes don't win you matches pic.twitter.com/Ks1jYgOrJM

— Saurabh Jayaswal (@criccrazy100rbh) April 3, 2023

2 Sixes of MS were the difference 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/K0aamaTbh0

— Saurabh Jayaswal (@criccrazy100rbh) April 3, 2023

Rohit never puts pressure on young players like this..
My captain Rohit ♥️🐐

— Priyansh (@priyansh_45) April 3, 2023

Clarification: Agar bowlers zyada extras daalenge to innings time slot se pehle khatam nahi hogi. Slow over rate ka captain ko fine padega aur captain kuch matches ke liye ban bhi hota hai.

— ਸ਼ਮਸ਼ੇਰ ਸਿੰਘ Shamsher Singh (@Shamsher0793) April 4, 2023

What a way to intimidate your bowlers with a contagious smile at the end

— ً (@SarcasticCowboy) April 3, 2023

Wides & No balls – criminal in today’s T20 format!

— Sumit Agarwal 🇮🇳 (@sumitagarwal_IN) April 3, 2023

Sack Chennai bowlers. We are happy without bowlers.

— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) April 3, 2023