Chennai Super Kings (CSK) sealed IPL 2023's playoff berth after an emphatic 77-run victory over already ousted Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley stadium on May 20 (Saturday). Going by the CSK's track-record in the glitzy league, the four-time champions are used to making the playoffs. The legendary MS Dhoni has led his Yellow army in 12 play-offs in a total of 14 season with a secret mantra of ‘team first philosophy’ and a ‘co-operative management’ which has earned glory for CSK over the years. In the post-match presentation, the victorious CSK skipper weighed in on the same philosophy.
Dhoni has always pushed his players and backed them to the hilt. He himself has batted as low as no.8 and gave purveyed opportunities for the likes of Shivam Dube and many more like him who have only delivered in the role assigned to them.
"There is no recipe as such (CSK's play-offs record). You try to pick the best players and try to give them the best slot. You use them in the manner where they have most chances of succeeding and groom them in the areas where they are not as strong," Dhoni said.
Dhoni's fund for building up the team has been clear through and through which alllow the team and the players to have belief in them.
"If you are doing whatever is best for the team, it falls into line. The management has been great, including the support staff. They always keep telling us to not worry and to keep doing what we have been doing. But of course, the players are also important." Dhoni added.
The former India skipper also said,"You need someone who is always team-first. Those are the kind of characters you look for. From a distance, it is difficult to judge that.
"We want them (players) to adjust to the environment. Even if they try to come 10%, we are willing to go to 50% and meet them in the middle," he said.
Dhoni lavished immense praise for his dazzling pace duo Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana, who have played an instrumental role in CSK's success this year.
"When it comes to death bowling, confidence is a very important factor. If you look at Tushar, he has developed that death-overs bowling. How many times you can execute under pressure is the main thing. When you are confident, you execute more often than not. Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes on and I feel the bowlers have taken the responsibility. Pathirana is quite a natural when it comes to bowling at the death so that is one less headache. The way Tushar has come around has been remarkable," Dhoni concluded.
Talking about the match, CSK rode on splendid knocks from Ruturaj Gaikwad (79 off 50) and Devon Conway (87 off 52) to post a colossal total of 223/3. In reply, DC were reduced to 146/9, thanks to Deepak Chahar's dazzling spell of 22/3. David Warner remained the top scorer for DC with 86 off 58 which was decorated with seven fours and five sixes.
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