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Dhoni’s heroics gives RPS consolation win

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni single-handedly scripted Rising Pune Supergiants’ (RPS) face-saving four-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) with a last ball six to help them avoid a last-place finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Saturday.

Chasing 173, Pune never looked in contention, but Dhoni played the lone ranger with an unbeaten 32-ball 64 to secure an improbable win for the debutants.

Pune looked down and out at 86 for five in the 14th over before Dhoni brought out his best and smashed five sixes and four boundaries. Needing 23 runs in the last over, Dhoni struck three sixes and a four. In the last ball of the match, RPS required six for victory and the captain lofted one over the midwicket boundary.

However, for Dhoni, who had successfully led Chennai Super Kings in the previous editions of the tournament, mostly finishing in top four besides winning the title twice, this has been his most disappointing campaign.

Brief Scores: Kings XI Punjab 172/7 in 20 overs (M Vijay 59, G Mann 51; R Ashwin 4/34)  vs Rising Pune Supergiants 173/6 in 20 overs (MS Dhoni 64*; Mann 2/15)
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