Even though MS Dhoni could not do much with the bat today in the Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League match against defending champion Gujarat Titans, he gave a display why is often referred to a master tactician.

In the sixth over when Gujarat Titans were batting, Dhoni moved a fielder to the off-side a ball prior to Hardik Pandya getting dismissed. The extra-protection paid off immediately as it forced to go over the infield because it was so packed. Hardik miscues the cut off CSK bowler Theekshana and Jadeja did the rest. Pandya could score only 8.

“MS Dhoni moved a fielder to the off-side a ball before Hardik getting dismissed! Tactician Dhoni at it’s very best,” tweeted a CSK fan.

Chennai Super Kings won the match by 15 runs to make it their tenth IPL final in 14 seasons. Put into bat by Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings managed to score to 172 for 7 in 20 overs against a disciplined bowling performance by the defending champions. CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lasted only 2 balls for his 1 run, much to the disappointment of an adoring Chepauk crowd. For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a superb 60 off 44 while his fellow opener contributed 40 off 34 balls. Others could not make a substantial contribution.

For Gujarat Titans, pacer Mohammed Shami (2 for 28 in 4 overs) and Mohit Sharma (2/31) scalped two wickets each. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed scalped a wicket each and put pressure on the batters in the middle overs.

Before the match, Gujarat Titans also posted a message terming Dhoni a “Captain. Leader. Legend.@msdhoni is an emotion.” Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya earlier said that he had learnt a lot of cricketing nuances from Dhoni, not by picking his brains but simply by watching him in action. “A lot of people think Mahi is serious and all that. For me, I crack jokes and I don’t see him as a Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“Obviously, I’ve learnt a lot of things from him, a lot of positive things, which I’ve learnt from him just while watching, not even much talking,” said Pandya, who would be aiming to retain the IPL title the team won last year by defeating Rajasthan Royals.