There is a lot to learn from the way MSD paces his innings: Ben Stokes

CHENNAI: English all-rounder Ben Stokes said Chennai Super Kings skipper M.S. Dhoni’s vintage knock against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday was a master class.

Stokes said there was a lot to learn from the way Dhoni paced his innings. Dhoni’s unbeaten 75 helped CSK recover from a shaky start.

“He just takes it deep as he possibly can. He’s a great person to learn from and watch how he goes about his innings whether it’s setting a total or chasing a total. Sometimes you got to hold your hand up and say the best players in the world can do that. He certainly showed that,” said Stokes.

Stokes said Dhoni is one of the greatest finishers to have graced the game.

“Especially when he comes in early, every team knows what he’s going to try and do to start with and we tried to attack him. Getting him out was our main objective. There was a dropped catch which you can’t blame anyone for — that happens — and the ball hitting the stumps and the bails not coming off,” Stokes added.

Stokes brought Royals to the brink of victory with a superb innings, but his departure put paid to their hopes.

“And probably though the first ball (bowled by Dwayne Bravo in the 20th over) is crucial to get a boundary (in the last over), and to try and get the momentum, you know (it) could have gone (for a boundary) but (Dwanye) Bravo is sort of experienced in those situations and he knows what to do and he is one of the best in the world doing it, so just say well bowled at the end of the day.”