NEW DELHI: The fans at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala were stunned to silence as legendary MS Dhoni was dismissed for a golden duck in Chennai Super Kings' clash against Punjab Kings on Sunday.
Expecting a Dhoni mania at the death, the match had an anti-climax moment as Harshal Patel outfoxed Dhoni with a lovely in-dipping slower yorker that uprooted Dhoni's off-stump in the penultimate over.
And soon after knocking over the legend, Harshal followed it up with a muted celebration, only raising his hands as Dhoni walked past him back to the dugout.
After the completion of CSK's innings, Harshal acknowledged his love for Dhoni, saying he has 'too much respect' for the legend to celebrate his wicket.
"I have too much respect for him to celebrate when I get him out," Harshal said.
It was the first time, Dhoni was dismissed for a duck in this IPL. It was also the first time ever Dhoni batted at No.9 or lower in his T20 career.
Harshal now has dismissed Dhoni thrice in the IPL.
Rahul Chahar's spin wizardry was complemented well by pacer Harshal's superb variations at death as Punjab Kings produced a spirited bowling effort to restrict Chennai Super Kings for a par 167 for nine.
CSK and Punjab currently sit at 5th and 8th spot respectively on the points table.
