MS Dhoni will return in IPL 2024 as he prepares to lead Chennai Super Kings. CSK are the defending champions and won the title in 2023. In fact, they won the title twice in the last four seasons in 2021 and 2023.
Chennai Super Kings bought six players in the IPL 2024 auction namely Rachin Ravindra (Rs 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs 14 crore), Sameer Rizvi (8, 40 million rupees), Mustafizur. Rahman (2 crores), Avanish Rao Aravelly (20 lakhs rupees). They bought back Shardul Thakur, who grew up as a cricketer playing with MS Dhoni. CSK invested heavily in overseas New Zealand stars Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.
Former Indian cricketers S Sreesanth and Sanjay Manjrekar spoke about MS Dhoni and what makes him the captain who is in a special segment with Star Sports. Star Sports presenter Jatin Sapru also shared his admiration for MSD, as did commentator and former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull.
MS Dhoni is a very old school in the modern world: Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar praised Dhoni for understanding his limitations with the bat last season and using his experienced bowler magnificently last season and turning them into match winners.
“The highlight for me was that I knew how much his batting was going to offer. It was incredible to keep going down the order and his captaincy is still very sharp, very old school in a very modern world. “That is what sets Dhoni apart from others.” he said.
Sreesanth praised the CSK captain for inspiring and supporting the youngsters. He also spoke about how he brought out the best in players like Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane last season.
“That influence, that inspiration that gives young people, Dhoni bhai, a lot of respect. Anyone would love to have Dhoni bhai by their side. Shivam Dube lacked runs while playing for India but it brought out the best in him. like he did with Ajinkya Rahane” Sreesanth said.
Later in the video clip, Manjrekar praised how MS Dhoni used his inexperienced bowlers throughout the tournament. He spoke about how he used players like Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathira and Maheesh Theekshana to the tee.
“You know, when the season started, you gave too much importance to their bowling attack, everyone thought it was an inexperienced bowling attack. Tushar Deshpande started expensively, he tried Hangargekar, Pathirana and also Maheesh Theekshana. Dhoni kept supporting them and turned them into good bowlers.” said the former Indian batsman.
Simon Doull spoke about MS Dhoni’s leadership skills and what makes him the best captain of the tournament. Dhoni was also recently voted captain of the best IPL team unanimously by a group of former cricketers and coaches.
“He is a genuine leader, rarely intimidated by a situation. He still thinks calmly about it, he talks to the right bowlers and many times he put the fielders in the right place. I think the way he controls the game, even when you might think he is behind it, is the biggest effect MSD will have on CSK and the Indian team.”
MS Dhoni has played 250 IPL matches and scored 5082 runs at an average of 38.79 and a career strike rate of 135.92. He has scored 24 fifties in the format, hitting 349 fours and 239 sixes.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma aims to surpass Gautam Gambhir in an elite list in Dharamsala