The rivalry between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) is among the most intense matchups within the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). The two powerhouse groups are gearing as much as face off on the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, April 14.
Ahead of this highly-anticipated conflict, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan weighed in on the potential of MS Dhoni transferring up the batting order. Despite CSK securing three wins out of 5 matches in IPL 2024, Dhoni has had restricted time on the crease, dealing with simply 21 balls. Yet, he has showcased glorious type, scoring 39 runs at a formidable strike price of 185.71, together with 4 fours and three sixes. Irfan identified that at 42 years previous, it is unlikely that the enduring wicketkeeper-batsman would decide to alter his batting place.
“The expectation will be there. However, he is a 42-year-old MS Dhoni. We still say that he is young because he has maintained himself like that. The way he used to come earlier after 10 to 11 overs, he used to drive, set up, and then finish the game,” Pathan mentioned on the Stars Sports’ Game Plan. “He has given himself a small role now where he comes to bat in the last two to three overs and plays big shots. So, I don’t see it happening. However, if it happens, it’s better for everyone, including the fans.”
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey praised former captain and legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, saying that he has obtained an important really feel to create a successful surroundings and backs gamers to the hilt. (Fact Check: Is Cheteshwar Pujara Joining MS Dhoni’s CSK In IPL 2024?)
MI and CSK will battle in a high-stakes ‘El Clasico’ of the IPL at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. CSK is within the third spot, with three wins and two losses, giving them six factors. They had registered a win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) of their final recreation. On the opposite hand, MI can be selecting up momentum, successful two video games after three losses and are positioned on the seventh spot. They had hammered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) of their earlier recreation.
Speaking at spin veteran Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Hussey mentioned that Dhoni creates champion groups and units them up nicely for long-term success by trusting his gamers and assigning them roles.
“I think he has got a great feel for what it takes to create a winning environment and put a team together that will, in the long term, have success. Again, there is that trust in the players…We have hardly changed the team over the years. There has been that continuity. He looks for good players to play that particular role, but he also looks for good people. And once he has got those good, he will really back them to the hilt,” instructed Hussey.
He gave the instance of former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who had solely 250 runs in 24 matches with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2016-2017 seasons, however he got here good in CSK throughout the 2018 season. He scored 555 runs in 15 innings at a median of virtually 40, with two centuries and two fifties, smashing a century within the remaining towards Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Watson additionally took six wickets that season.
With CSK from 2018-20, Watson scored 1,252 runs in 43 matches at a median of 30.54 and a strike price of over 136, with two centuries and 7 fifties. His finest rating was 117*.
“Another good example is Shane Watson, For us (Australia) he had a season where he could not score runs. But Dhoni just said ‘No, we are sticking with him, he will come good’. And sure enough, he came good when we made the playoffs. He made two big scores and we fell one run short of winning the title that year.” added Hussey.
Hussey mentioned that Dhoni is ready to take stress off gamers, significantly younger Indian gamers.
“He has got an amazing perspective on the game; the way he treats people and players is very special. You feel like you are backed, you are trusted and you are loved very much,” mirrored the 48-year-old.
