IPL 2023: Told Ajinkya to play to his strengths, use the ability to manipulate the fields - Dhoni

While for most, Ajinkya Rahane's 61 off 27 was entirely a bolt from the blue, MS Dhoni, the CSK skipper had belief in the veteran cricketer's ability.

With the help of his whirlwind 23-run over, Ajinkya Rahane broke MSD's 2012 record of scoring a 50 for Chennai in 20 balls as he is now tied with Moeen Ali in the 2nd spot who had also scored a 19-ball 50 last year. Suresh Raina still stands atop with his 16-ball 50 that he hit against Punjab in 2014.

MS Dhoni revealed that he asked Ajinkya to not take stress and that the team will back him. 'Me and Jinks spoke at the start of the season and I told him to play to his strengths, use your ability to manipulate the fields', Dhoni added.

Ajinkya Rahane didn't start in the first two games but food poisoning to Moeen Ali gave him a chance and he grabbed it marvelously with a 27-ball-61 as CSK won vs MI by 7 wickets.