Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, has described MS Dhoni as an outstanding leader for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), thanks to his passion, loyalty, and massive fan following, even 15 years after the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni has been a part of every IPL season with CSK except for 2016 and 2017, when the team was suspended.
Dhoni has captained CSK since its inception in 2008, leading the team to four IPL titles. CSK has qualified for the playoffs in all IPL seasons, except for 2020 and 2022.
“One being passionate. Two being extremely loyal to the franchise and three being the status the fans have given him in Chennai. He is on a pedestal, if you are an individual who is put on that pedestal, you want to give something back, no matter how old you are,” Ravi Shastri told ESPNcricinfo.
“You have that hunger inside you. You have that dive inside you, ‘If you can’t do it, at least make my team do it’,” he stated.
Chennai are currently placed in the second position in the league table with 13 points to their name.