People used to call it an Old Age Home, an assortment of veterans who had no future and had only the past to talk about. This was not completely untrue if you looked at the names. Shane Watson, when he was well past his best-before date, Ambati Rayudu, long after he had slipped out of India reckoning, and Ashish Nehra, when everyone thought he was done. There are just a few examples.
That’s what Chennai Super Kings opted for. The most consistent franchise in the history of the IPL – yes, Mumbai Indians have won the title more times – in terms of making the last four is about man-management. They know what and who can work, choose players accordingly and persist with them. Ajinkya Rahane is the latest example. Who thought he would become a game-changer, and that too the fastest scorer in the league till now?
The underlying principle behind this theory is continuity. They realised in the early days that they are a good bunch, and stuck to the personnel who made them that. MS Dhoni has been the captain since 2008, Stephen Fleming the head coach since 2009 (after being a player in 2008), and most of the support staff has remained unchanged. Other franchises have chopped and changed consistently.
The year they returned from a two-year ban, they won the title in 2018. They finished second the following year before winning it again in 2021. They have played the finals nine times, which is more than the Mumbai Indians. Barring 2020 and 2022, they have made it to the last four every single time. This is amazing consistency in a tournament like the IPL where flux is the name of the game.
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What is behind this? The first point is a belief in persistence. They have faith in what they have, and go ahead with those players. Second, they are very astute when it comes to selecting players. They know what clicks and do not often go for the fancier buys. Watson, Rayudu, Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Rahane and Moeen Ali are examples. Third, and probably the most important, is the presence of Dhoni.
This is Dhoni’s team. That is the foremost reason of this team’s success. Yes, there are coaches, but what the captain decides is the ultimate call. And, it’s well-documented that Dhoni invariably takes the correct calls. He decides who to buy, he decides how and where to use them and then gives them time to settle down in that role.
Result? Look at the success Watson, Nehra, Harbhajan, Rayudu and, now, Rahane have had with CSK. This would not have been possible at any other IPL franchise. Even the greatest players in the world need a sympathetic ear and the occasional arm around the shoulder, especially once their peak is behind them. It’s no secret that human beings give of their best in an environment where they feel secure and valued.
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Look at the kind of performances these players have put in. Watson cracked a century in a final, Harbhajan and Nehra delivered after being written off, Rayudu has remained a constant for years, and Rahane has rediscovered himself. This is man and player management of a very high and exemplary level. Credit also goes to the team owners and others on the management front, who had been criticised at times, perhaps for valid reasons. At the same time, their good work must also be appreciated.
In the end, one must conclude that this has been a massive team effort, with an exceptional leader in Dhoni, who masterminds almost everything on the playing front. Without him, I doubt if this would have been possible. The management provided him the environment, the resources and he made optimum use of it. He will be seen in a coaching or mentoring role whenever he pleases after he is done as ‘Thala’ the captain – the brain behind CSK’s consistency over the years.