MS Dhoni became the oldest Man of the Match award winner in IPL history. (BCCI)

In his second match back as Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni rolled back the years on the field as a tactician and wicket-keeper before putting the finishing touches with the bat against Rishabh Pant's Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Monday.

Chasing a 167-run total, Dhoni walked out at No. 7 with 56 required in five overs. Partnering Shivam Dube, Dhoni sped to 26 off 11 deliveries with a string of fours and a one-handed six off Avesh Khan, taking away the limelight. A five-wicket win helped CSK erase their winless streak of five games, securing their second victory of the season after their first outing in Chennai against the Mumbai Indians.

However, it came as a surprise when the organisers decided to hand the Player of the Match award to the 43-year-old CSK talisman. Dhoni thereby became the oldest man to receive the Man of the Match award in IPL history, surpassing former Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Pravin Tambe.

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It was Dhoni's first Player of the Match award in the IPL after five years since securing one against the Delhi Capitals in 2019. Dhoni was, however, surprised that he pipped the likes of Dube's unbeaten 43 and leg-spinner Noor Ahmed's 0/13 in four overs to receive the award.

"Even today, I was like, why are they giving me the award? I feel Noor Ahmad bowled well. The new ball bowling and in between, when Noor and Jaddu, you know, they bowled like four or five overs together.