IPL 2023 Live: “Heat is the factor,” MS Dhoni reveals why he opts to bat first against Punjab Kings

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and elected to bat first against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the latest encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) held on April 30, 2023.

CSK captain MS Dhoni mentioned that they chose to bat first as the wicket looked decent and playing a day game means the heat is a factor and fast bowlers can get some rest. He also emphasized the importance of being intelligent and not getting exposed too much under the sun. Dhoni further added that IPL is a long tournament and there will be games that won’t go your way, and one has to accept the learnings.

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We will bat first. Looks like a decent wicket. When you play a day game, the heat is a factor. The fast bowlers can get some rest. In the day game, few players are too early. It is important to be intelligent. Not to be exposed a lot under the sun. IPL is a longish tournament. There will be games which won’t go your way. You have to accept the learnings. It is the same team.

On the other hand, PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan expressed his disappointment at losing the toss, stating that they would have loved to bat first. He acknowledged the importance of learning from past games and trying to improve. Dhawan mentioned that in the last match, he tried something different, which did not work out, but the team’s core remains intact. He emphasized on keeping the fighting spirit alive and going with a positive mindset. Harpreet is the only change made by PBKS.

We would have loved to bat first. It is a day game and a dry wicket. There won’t be any dew. A new and a new beginning. We keep on learning from past games. Try to get better. Keep the fighting spirit on. Last match, I tried something but clearly it didn’t work. The core is intact. Will go with positive mindset. Harpreet is the only change.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Atharva Taide, Shikhar Dhawan(c), Liam Livingstone, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana