Fans criticize MS Dhoni for ‘intimidating’ referee during SRH clash


Chennai Super Kings MS Dhoni faces the heat for their conduct during the just concluded matchup against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The game ended on a controversial note with referee Paul Reiffel surprisingly not calling a wide delivery even though he was on the tram line.

The incident took place on the 19th day of the SRH manhunt when the party was well prepared. After collecting 19 runs from the 18th, SRH had scored three from the first ball on the 19th when they needed 27 runs from the final two overs. The first ball of the over was hit by a two by Rashid Khan before Shardul Thakur hit a wide.

MS Dhoni, Paul Reiffel
Paul Reiffel didn’t call this installment broad (Credits: Hotstar)

The next installment seemed wide too, but Reiffel didn’t call her. At first, it seemed like he would call it wide since his hands were half spread out. However, he changed his mind at the last minute after seeing an angry outcry from MS Dhoni and decided not to call it broad. In fact, MS Dhoni was acting upbeat and had a role in the referee’s decision.

But in the end, CSK won the match comfortably. The three-time champions defeated SRH by 20 runs to get back on the winning track and end their two-game losing streak. The victory was CSK’s third of the season. With three wins in eight games, they are currently in sixth place.

MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni (Credit: Twitter)

Batting first, they were 167 of 6 in the 20 assigned overs. Shane Watson was the best scorer for them with 42, while Ambati Rayudu scored 41. In response, SRH finished their innings with 147 of 8. Kane Williamson scored fifty fight, but the lack of support from the other end meant that his blow was in vain.

Fans furious with MS Dhoni:

MS Dhoni may be happy with the result, but the fans are not at all happy with their behavior in the match. Shortly after the game ended, fans took to Twitter to criticize him for the way he performed on the 19th and that caused the referee to change his mind. Some fans even went so far as to say that MS Dhoni intimidated the referee.

These are some of the reactions:

Also read: IPL 2020 points table: CSK moves to sixth place after 20-race win over SRH

Also read: IPL 2020: It was a game that was so close to being perfect: MS Dhoni