MS Dhoni is set to captain Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 10th time in IPL finals (with four trophies to his name) which is a record for any captain leading his team to the IPL finals in the tournament’s history. Known for his strategic acumen on the field, Dhoni also openly admitted that his frequent field adjustments can make him an “annoying captain” on the field.
MS Dhoni shared his experience on the field right after Chennai Super Kings successfully stormed into the IPL 2023 finals, beating Gujarat Titans by a margin of 15 runs in the first qualifier match held at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
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The match saw a remarkable performance from Ruturaj Gaikwad who scored an impressive 60 runs off 44 balls, providing a strong foundation for the team. This was followed by a swift scoring spree from Ambati Rayudu (17 runs from 9 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (22 runs from 16 balls), adding a vital boost towards the end and steering CSK to a challenging total of 172/7.
Later, Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana effectively stalled the GT batsmen with their spin, pace and bounce, contributing to a collective bowling effort that lead to GT being bowled out for 157. This paved the way for CSK’s entrance into their 10th IPL final.
“You see the wicket, you see the conditions and according to that, you keep adjusting the field. I can be a very annoying captain because I shift the fielder one or two feet here and there every time,” MS Dhoni said in a post-match presentation.
“The fielder needs to keep an eye on me. Imagine you are fielding and every two balls or three balls, I am like, ‘Okay two feet to your right, three feet to your left.’ It can be annoying. I always say I believe in my gut feeling, I see the wicket, the line, what is really happening and more often than not, it pays off. The only request I ask from the fielders is ‘keep an eye on me, if you drop a catch, there won’t be any reactions but just keep an eye on me,” he added.
When questioned about his plans for the next season after leading CSK to the IPL finals following their last home game of the season, Dhoni maintained a neutral stance.
“I do not know, I have eight to nine months to decide, the small auction may be around December, so why take that headache right now? I have ample time to decide,”
“I will always be there for CSK, whether that is in the playing form or sitting somewhere outside…I do not really know. Frankly, it takes a heavy toll. I have been out of the home for literally four months. January 31 was when I got out of the house, finished my work, and started practising from the 2nd or 3rd of March. It takes a lot, but I have ample time to decide,” the CSK captain further added.
Interesting Stats about MS Dhoni Captaincy:
Most times reaching finals as captains in IPL history:
- MS Dhoni – 10*
- Rohit Sharma – 5
With four trophies under his name, Dhoni will be hopeful to level the record for most number of trophies (5) after winning IPL 2023.
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