There has been a lot of talk since yesterday evening on Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s appointment as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper in the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, unfortunately out for 3-4 weeks with an injury. Is the CSK management justified in appointing Dhoni, arguably India’s best white-ball captain of all time, as skipper one final time? Could they not have gone with someone younger? Is the choice of Dhoni, who is semi-retired, a rational one considering he isn’t the same player he once was? Finally, can MSD at 43 be compared to the MS Dhoni of 35 in any way, and is such a comparison even justified?
It is important to state at the outset that I am not here to make a value judgment. To even attempt such a thing is unwise. Good or bad can only be known at the end of the season and Dhoni, for the record, is one of the best captains ever. But how MSD@43 fares will be known only when the franchise plays its scheduled nine games under him.
However, one thing is certain. In franchise cricket, it is always a business call. Yes, it has started badly for CSK this season. A couple of games did not go to plan. Murmurs had begun. However, soon after the Dhoni call was made last evening, the buzz was palpable. It was as big a news point as Jasprit Bumrah’s return to cricket, and CSK are assured of massive support at Chepauk despite a couple of losses. The narrative is all about Dhoni and no one is talking about the losses anymore.
This is what the IPL is all about. A commercially driven, ruthlessly competitive business proposition with its dedicated base of global followers. There can never be any debate on Dhoni’s place in India’s cricket pantheon. A true legend of the game, he will forever be perched on top of the pedestal. So why not use him when you need him more? Dhoni’s past success is evidence that he is the best man for the job and can handle pressure better than anyone else in the team.
Also Read: If MS Dhoni plays for CSK, he must be captain of CSK: Sourav Ganguly
There is little doubt Dhoni will see this as an opportunity to serve the brand that is synonymous with him. He is at first a player and then a captain, and there is little doubt he will want to contribute his best as a professional. That’s sport for you, and the IPL is no different.
The other realm where the decision is likely to help CSK is in terms of brand value. With Dhoni back at the helm, the marketability of the franchise will be all-pervasive in corporate India. This is more because Dhoni doesn’t play international cricket anymore, and CSK is the only place where Dhoni, the brand, can best be leveraged.
Two final things need mentioning here. First, it will be interesting to see if CSK start to win under Dhoni. In such a scenario, will it put pressure on Gaikwad? Second, will Dhoni bat higher up or hold himself back till later now that he is back at the helm?
Clearly, the appointment has made the IPL more interesting. And when you add what Sourav Ganguly said – “Dhoni as captain is a beast” – all the more so.
Also Read: Are KKR’s concerns about the Eden Gardens pitches valid? What’s the way forward?