Johannesburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis has revealed that a legendary moment from MS Dhoni's career directly inspired a crucial tactical decision during a thrilling SA20 encounter. The move led to a dramatic final-ball run-out, forcing a Super Over which his team eventually won.
The Dhoni Blueprint in a Pressure Cooker Situation
In a must-win SA20 group stage match against Durban Super Giants, the game reached a nail-biting climax. With Durban needing just one run from the final delivery, JSK bowler Wiaan Mulder was tasked with defending the target. Skipper du Plessis, in a high-pressure moment, drew from a deep well of cricketing memory.
He recalled MS Dhoni's iconic run-out against Bangladesh in the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, a match where India clinched a miraculous one-run victory. In that famous incident, Dhoni, without his gloves, sprinted to the stumps to effect a run-out off the last ball after a Hardik Pandya over filled with drama.
Executing the Inspired Plan
Du Plessis conveyed a specific plan to Mulder for the final ball. "I remember there was a game a long time ago, when MS Dhoni was standing behind the stumps for India. I think it was against Bangladesh in a World Cup, and I remember the guy bowling almost like a cut ball across him," du Plessis explained in the post-match presentation.
Following this memory, his instruction was clear: bowl a short delivery wide of the batter. The plan was executed perfectly. Mulder bowled a cutter across the right-handed Simon Harmer, who missed his attempted cut shot.
Wicketkeeper Donovan Ferreira, who had smartly removed one glove anticipating a throw, collected the ball cleanly. He then threw down the stumps directly with Harmer short of his ground. The match was tied, sending it into a Super Over where Johannesburg Super Kings emerged victorious.
Legacy of a Captain's Instinct
Faf du Plessis, who has shared the dressing room with Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, highlighted the longevity of such inspirational moments. He admitted that while he hoped for a wicket, he "was not banking on a run out." The successful execution, however, showcased how experiences from international cricket can directly influence tactics in franchise leagues.
The original Dhoni moment remains etched in cricket history. In that 2016 World T20 group match in Bangalore, Bangladesh needed 11 runs from the final over. After Mushfiqur Rahim hit two boundaries, they collapsed, losing wickets on the third and fourth balls. With two runs needed off the last ball, Dhoni's lightning-fast stumping after collecting a wide delivery sealed an unforgettable win for India.
Years later, that same moment provided the strategic spark for another captain in a different league, proving that great cricketing instincts transcend time and tournaments.
