[IPL]- Mitchell Santner opens up on MS Dhoni’s IPL 2019 clash with the umpires
MS Dhoni rarely loses his calm and is known for his ability to remain calm even under most on-field pressures. But last year, during the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhoni had his share of angered moments on the pitch, and one such instance occurred. The captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) unexpectedly charged on the ground and went on to have a heated argument with on-field umpires at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur during his side clash against Rajasthan Royals.
During the last period of the match, Dhoni walked on the pitch after being dismissed on the third ball of the same over. Ben Stokes bowled down a full-toss to Mitchell Santner with CSK needing eight runs to win the last three balls. Immediately after the delivery was bowled, Umpire Ulhas Gandhe called a no-ball but later checked with square-leg umpire Bruce Oxenford and declared the delivery a valid one.
The drama unfolded as soon as CKS all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was at the end of the non-striker, chatted with the umpires. Dhoni, who had spotted Gandhe signaling a no-ball, walked on to the ground as well and was seen protesting against the decision of the umpires to call the delivery legal after initially acknowledging it as a no-ball. The decision eventually stood but, with a six off the final ball, Santner won the game for CSK.
Recently, Santner opened up on the controversy that erupted throughout the game and how soon after his actions, Dhoni apologized to the umpires. The Kiwi all-rounder said he was as shocked to see someone like Dhoni losing his cool but insisted it shows how much the franchise means to the veteran wicket-keeper batsman.
“I was probably as shocked as anyone else. Dhoni is so chill. But I think that shows you how dedicated he is to the team and how much it means somebody like him to do anything like that. It wasn’t rage, it was just one of the umpires who just put his hand out, and you can’t go back,” Santner said with Chennai Super Kings in an Instagram live.
“I think it was a good thing to end up winning. If we lost it, there would have been more anger going around. That sort of shows you how it brings us together. We went on to win several after that. Those types of games, if you get to the right side of the outcome that can help you build momentum moving forward. It wasn’t a perfect game, but different people stepped up at different moments.”
“I was out there a little bit (talk after the game). I saw him out there. He was right next to the umpire. He realized he wasn’t supposed to do that. He apologized straight away. Stokes may have flustered and given me a good ball to hit. I ‘m pleased,” he added.
