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MS Dhoni returned as Chennai Super Kings captain midway through ongoing IPL Ruturaj Gaikwad fractured elbow to be ruled out.
MS Dhoni has won five IPL titles as Chennai Super Kings captain. (BCCI Photo)
MS Dhoni wields quite an influence in Chennai Super Kings, a franchise that has been his home in the IPL since it took off in 2008 barring two years when the team was suspended. He has led the team to five IPL titles and stepped down from captaincy ahead of the last season with Ruturaj Gaikwad being handed over the reins.
However, an elbow injury to Gaikwad midway through the ongoing IPL meant CSK reappointed Dhoni as the skipper for the remainder of the season. In his first game in charge this year, CSK suffered a massive defeat at the hands of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders before bouncing back to get the better of Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night.
“His influence has been there all the time, even when he wasn’t captain,” CSK bowling coach Eric Simmons said of Dhoni during a post-match interaction with the media. “His relationship with Rutu is very important. His relationship with Fleming and all the players is very important.”
“It’s not that he teaches typical technical issues about the game, but it’s the calmness that you see out there—that’s how he teaches you to play the game. He teaches an understanding of cricket, which is a very important aspect of the game. So that influence, that calmness that he brings, has always been there, but tonight we saw it once again,” he added.
Dhoni was named the Player of the Match for his contribution on the field and also scored 26 off 11 balls to take CSK home against LSG.
“The fact that he’s captain or not captain—he’s the same person. It didn’t change when he wasn’t, in terms of his actual influence on the team. He’s obviously a very important part of our setup,” Simmons said.
“It’s a pity that Ruturaj is not there to play and be our captain and our leader, but MS has always been like that. It doesn’t feel like a massive change because he’s always been there to give advice, give thoughts, give inputs. And as I said, he’s always a calming influence and gives a great level of understanding about how cricket should be played. His wisdom is tremendous,” he added.
With PTI Inputs
