From being the second-worst team in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 to becoming the second-best in 2023, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have returned to their vintage self in the ongoing edition of the cash-rich tournament. Several heroes have been behind the revival of the second most successful franchise in IPL history but none bigger than the poster boy and captain, MS Dhoni. One of the greatest leaders of all time has used the resources at his disposal in flawless fashion while his tactics and shrewd strategies have made the Men in Yellow one of the teams to beat this season.
Former India captain and head coach, Ravi Shastri gave the credit where its due and lavished profound praise on Dhoni for orchestrating a significant turnaround for the Super Kings. Shastri believes that CSK are a settled team and have the pedigree to win the title this year.
"He's (Dhoni) a master at creating combination. It's intuitive. it's understanding. Probably persisting with a guy who might not be good in 2022, but having the foresight to believe that he'll be very good in 2023, giving him the confidence in 2022 to go through the grind. Thinking ahead. He would have done that with few players. I won't be surprised. I am not in the mix there. I won't know," Ravi Shastri said on ESPNCricinfo.
"But definitely he thinks in that fashion. When you look at this side now, who looks almost certain to make it to the playoffs and looks extremely dangerous when it comes to the playoffs, two games in Chennai, it's a team that can go the distance. Because it's already settled. If there is any tinkering, it will be because of injury. Otherwise, they've got it right," he added.
In 11 matches played this season, the Super Kings have won six contests and lost just four games. One of their matches ended in a No Result (NR) and the franchise has 13 points with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.409. Dhoni's are men are currently second on the points table and need just a couple of wins to secure a playoff berth.
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