MS Dhoni’s Animated Chat with LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka Sparks Social Media Frenzy After CSK’s Thrilling Win
In a night filled with drama and nostalgia, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) roared back to form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, clinching a commanding five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 30 at the iconic Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium. But it wasn’t just the on-field action that captured attention—post-match, a candid conversation between MS Dhoni and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka became the talk of the town, igniting a social media storm.
CSK, desperate to turn their season around after a string of five consecutive losses, delivered a clinical performance. Chasing a challenging 167 on a sluggish pitch, they showcased a blend of disciplined bowling, steady batting, and a trademark finishing flourish from Dhoni and Shivam Dube, securing only their second win of the campaign.
The post-match moment that stole the spotlight saw Dhoni, the legendary former CSK captain, sharing a light-hearted exchange with Goenka. This interaction was a nostalgic reunion of sorts, as Goenka previously owned the now-defunct Rising Pune Super Giant franchise, where Dhoni played during the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons. Social media platforms erupted with speculation and memes, with fans dissecting every gesture and smile between the two.
On the field, CSK’s bowlers set the tone early. Khaleel Ahmed struck in the opening over, removing Aiden Markram with a sharp running catch by Rahul Tripathi. Youngster Anshul Kamboj then dismissed the explosive Nicholas Pooran with a clever change of pace, aided by a brilliant DRS call from a grinning Dhoni behind the stumps. LSG captain Rishabh Pant fought valiantly, scoring a gritty 63 off 49 balls—his first fifty of the season—while forging crucial stands with Mitchell Marsh (30 off 25) and Ayush Badoni (22 off 17).
However, CSK’s spinners turned the screws in the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja was exceptional, dismissing Marsh and Badoni—the latter via a sharp stumping that marked Dhoni’s 200th fielding dismissal in IPL history, a staggering milestone. Noor Ahmad stifled Pant, conceding just six runs in 15 balls to the LSG skipper, while Matheesha Pathirana’s death bowling restricted LSG to a below-par 166/7 on a turning track.
CSK’s chase began with a surprise as debutant Shaik Rasheed replaced the injured Devon Conway at the top. Rasheed made an instant impact, scoring a fluent 27 off 19 with elegant strokes, while Rachin Ravindra blazed 37 off 22, powering CSK to 50 in just 4.2 overs. LSG fought back with spin, as Ravi Bishnoi and Aiden Markram removed Ravindra and Tripathi, followed by the quick dismissals of Jadeja and Vijay Shankar, leaving CSK precariously placed at 111/5 after 15 overs, needing 56 off the last 30 balls.
Enter MS Dhoni. Promoted up the order, the Thala took his time to settle before unleashing carnage. A couple of boundaries in the 16th over and a vintage one-handed six in the 17th sent the crowd into a frenzy, reminding everyone of his unmatched finishing prowess. At the other end, Shivam Dube absorbed the pressure before exploding in the 19th over against Shardul Thakur, smashing a boundary, a six off a full toss, and capitalizing on a no-ball to plunder 19 runs, bringing the equation down to just 4 off 6 balls.
Dhoni, fittingly, remained unbeaten at the crease as CSK chased down the target with an over to spare. Dube finished not out on 43 off 37, while Dhoni’s blistering 26 off just 11 balls proved the game-changer. This knock added another chapter to Dhoni’s storied IPL legacy, where he has now scored over 5,000 runs as a finisher for CSK.
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, the image of Dhoni and Goenka laughing together will linger in fans’ minds. Was it a casual catch-up, or a hint of something more? Only time will tell, but for now, CSK fans will savor this much-needed victory and the return of their beloved Captain Cool to his destructive best.