Often regarded as the biggest reader and skipper of the game,” The Man with a Midas Touch,” Ms. Dhoni has already passed on his baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead the Chennai Super Kings in this year’s IPL.
Dhoni, who’s 42, is now playing as a wicketkeeper batsman for CSK in this year’s IPL, and with the mega auction happening next year,there is a possibility that we are seeing the last of Dhoni in this year’s IPL.
But Dhoni is still very much needed for CSK in the IPL. Here are a few reasons for that:
- Grooming young players: Dhoni is known for making players superstars and match winners. He shares his experience and makes them ready to showcase their talent on platforms like the IPL. With the mega auction happening next year, CSK would need Dhoni, as there are chances of lots of new players playing for CSK in next year’s IPL, so Dhoni would be needed to guide them through.
- Grooming of Ruturaj Gaikwad as skipper: Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named as the new captain of CSK in this year’s IPL. He already has experience leading India on the international stage. It was under Ruturaj’s captaincy that India went on to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.
However, when a young captain like him is leading CSK, which has been so successful over the years, there is a lot that the fans are going to expect from him. In such cases, Dhoni would be needed to groom Ruturaj as captain.
- Controlling the game from behind the game: It’s often said by the experts of the game that Mahi’s brain works faster than the computer. Dhoni is known for controlling the game from behind the wickets. It’s his valuable input that bowlers are able to pick wickets by bowling according to the field.
- Providing the right environment and chances to young players: Dhoni is known to give opportunities to a lot of young players. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the players and often spends time with young players to help them improve as sportsmen. He provides the right environment for players and takes the most out of them with his abilities. The best examples this season are players like Rachin Ravindra, Mustafizur Rahman, and Sameer Rizvi.
- Still the best wicketkeeper in business: Dhoni is the oldest player to play in this year’s IPL. But looking at his fitness and reflexes behind the wickets, he is still the best wicketkeeper in business. Dhoni is known for setting fitness benchmarks, and if he can maintain that fitness, he can still serve CSK for at least a couple of more IPL seasons.
