MS Dhoni is a master of reading the pitches – Parthiv Patel

Chennai won a sandstorm-delayed toss and chose to field at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, restricting Bangalore to 156-6 despite a promising start for Virat Kohli’s team.

In reply, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai reached 157-4 in 18.1 overs.

Kohli hit a 41-ball 53 and shared an opening stand of 111 with Devdutt Padikkal (70 in 50). That partnership ended in the 14th over and no other Bangalore batter lasted more than 11 balls.

Padikkal said his team had been looking to reach 170-180 runs “but unfortunately it just didn’t work out today towards the end of the innings.”

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo did much of the damage with 3-24 in his four overs, including the wicket of Kohli, who almost hit a six but instead was caught by Ravindra Jadeja on the boundary.

Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for Chennai with 38 off 26, ahead of opening partner Faf du Plessis (31) and Ambati Rayudu (32). Harshal Patel took 2-25.

Chennai have 14 points after nine matches.

Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel was hugely impressed by Dhoni’s moves in the match.

“There is a reason why we now say Mentor Singh Dhoni. He has been around for so many years, he understands the situation. He is a master of reading the pitches and a master of how to get the best out of your bowlers. He knows how to get the best out of Bravo, Shardul Thakur or Deepak Chahar,” Parthiv told Star Sports.

“The good thing is that everyone trusts him. When there is a good plan, everyone trusts him with it because there is a lot of experience behind it and a lot of success behind it,” he added.