"I felt bad after dismissing him" - Yash Dayal opens up on MS Dhoni's wicket in final over of CSK vs RCB IPL 2024 clash
Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal recently revealed that he felt bad after dismissing MS Dhoni in the virtual quarter-final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024. As both teams were vying for the final playoff spot, the game went down to the final over, with CSK needing 17 runs to qualify and 35 to win. Dhoni was on strike against Dayal.
The former CSK skipper smashed the first ball for six but Dayal responded with a wily slower delivery to outfox Dhoni and dismiss him on the second ball of the over. It was the final nail in CSK's coffin as RCB won the match by 27 runs and also stopped CSK from reaching their qualification target. RCB advanced to the playoffs.
Talking to Jatin Sapru on the 'Roaring with the Lions' podcast about MS Dhoni's dismissal, Dayal said the thought of it potentially being the legend's final match made him feel bad.
"I felt bad after dismissing him. Because I don't know or care what people say but the frustration with which he left the ground, it was like you don't know whether he will return or not. Will we ever see him again on the ground. It was a moment where a lot of things were going through my head. I got a breather, a bit of relief," Yash Dayal said (via YouTube). (38:32)
Dhoni was dismissed for 25 off 13 deliveries. Whether he will return for another IPL season remains to be seen.
"Virat bhai said, 'Don't give pace, don't bowl right onto his bat'" - Yash Dayal on MS Dhoni's wicket in IPL 2024
Despite Dhoni's dismissal, CSK still had a realistic chance of knocking off the qualification target, with 11 runs needed from four balls. On the same podcast, Yash Dayal revealed Virat Kohli's advice not to provide pace or bowl onto Dhoni's bat.
"With 11 runs needed off 4, I was like why I am even looking at the scoreboard. I shouldn't. I should just focus on my bowling. Shardul bhai was on strike. Virat bhai said, 'Don't give pace, don't bowl right onto his bat," Dayal said. [39:04]
However, after dismissing Dhoni, Dayal's confidence was sky-high as he finished the job for RCB.
"I told him right now it's like peanut butter falling from top. Anywhere I want to bowl, I will, I have so much confidence," Yash Dayal added.
Dayal finished with figures of 2/42 in his four overs, picking up the crucial scalp of Daryll Mitchell before Dhoni in the final over.
However, RCB's campaign ended when they lost to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator.