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MS Dhoni has been the skipper for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 16th season running, and in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, and has been credited with the turn in form for the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube.
He has also been effective with the bat and has scored at a strike rate of 204.26 coming lower down the order for his team in matches. Recently, he played a 9-ball 20 against DC at the Chepauk stadium.
There have been rumours about the former India skipper's future in the IPL with many thinking that this might be his final season in the IPL. He has also made many confusing statements this season that has provided no clarity whatsoever on his future in the league
Speaking to Star Sports, Shastri opined that playing in the IPL under Dhoni would have been fun. The former Indian head coach said the CSK skipper's record as captain forces you to put him at the top. "Mazaa aayega Dhoni ki captaincy mein khelna (Playing under Dhoni's captaincy would be fun). His record as a captain forces you to put him right up," said Shastri.
The former also revealed how Dhoni got captaincy in 2007. The former Indian coach, who was then-manager of the Indian team, revealed that Dhoni's ability to read the game helped him get the role after Rahul Dravid got injured.
"Coolness is one thing but the way he reads and understands the game is terrific. I remember when I was a manager in 2007 and Dilip Vengsarkar was the selector. Rahul Dravid was injured in a practice session at the Eden Gardens, we were speaking and MS Dhoni's name popped up. He asked me and I said, 'This guy has the leadership quality'," Shastri said.
"It didn't take long and Dilip was on the same page. Dilip was an ideal selector at that time and he to had felt that this guy has got it in him. So, what he [Vengsarkar] was seeing was not just coolness but the ability to read the game, street-smart ability, personality, character… all these things come into play when you are looking for a good captain," he concluded.
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