"Have a lot of cars and bikes, don't ride all at a time" - When MS Dhoni responded to a query on not bowling Harbhajan Singh in an IPL match
Former India and ex-Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known for possessing a sharp cricketing mind. The same is on display not only on the cricket field, but during media interactions as well. He answers the toughest of queries in a rather inimitable style and his quotes often become headlines.
One such incident took place during the press conference ahead of the IPL 2018 final between CSK and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Dhoni-led CSK had beaten SRH by two wickets in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2018 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Batting first, Hyderabad had put up 139-7 on the board, a target Chennai chased down in 19.1 overs.
Incredibly, seasoned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh did not bowl a single over for CSK in Qualifier 1 despite being one of the frontline bowlers in the team. Asked about the same at the press conference ahead of the IPL 2018 final, Dhoni came up with a rather interesting response. He replied (as quoted by TOI):
"You know I have a lot of cars and bikes in my house. I don't ride all at a time. There are times, especially when you have six to seven bowlers in the side, you want to see the conditions, who's batting, and what is needed at that point. I have said it in the past when we had (Pawan) Negi and (Ravindra) Jadeja, I always gave them different slots in bowling.
"Those are the reasons I always keep in mind. It is always tough. In the last game, I didn't feel it was necessary to bowl him, and I didn't bowl him," the then Chennai Super Kings captain went on to add.
Dwayne Bravo starred with 2-25 in Qualifier 1 against SRH, while four other bowlers chipped in with one wicket each.
Dhoni-led CSK hammered SRH in IPL 2018 final
Harbhajan was not picked in the Chennai Super Kings team for the IPL 2018 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It did not make much of a difference, though, as CSK thumped SRH by eight wickets.
Batting first, Hyderabad put up 178-6 on the board as skipper Kane Williamson top-scored with 47 off 36, while Yusuf Pathan contributed 45* off 25 In the chase, though, CSK cruised home in 18.3 overs as opener Shane Watson clobbered 117* off 57 balls, with the aid of 11 fours and eight sixes.
It was an incredible comeback for Chennai Super Kings after a two-year ban from the cash-rich T20 league!