IPL 2021: MS Dhoni gives views on CSK’s wonderful resurgence after last year’s poor campaign

With an ageing and ailing Chennai Super King (CSK) squad suffering the first-ever league stage exit in the franchise’s history in UAE last year, a sense of doom and gloom was unavoidable when MS Dhoni’s men also lost their opening game of the IPL 2021. And thus, the turnaround that the three-time champions CSK have […]
 
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IPL 2021: MS Dhoni gives views on CSK’s wonderful resurgence after last year’s poor campaign

With an ageing and ailing Chennai Super King (CSK) squad suffering the first-ever league stage exit in the franchise’s history in UAE last year, a sense of doom and gloom was unavoidable when MS Dhoni’s men also lost their opening game of the IPL 2021.

And thus, the turnaround that the three-time champions CSK have experienced since has been absolutely brilliant, with the team in yellow winning five matches on the bounce and being happily placed in the upper half of the points table.

While CSK are still far from a perfect side, they’ve been able to manage around their issues a lot better than they did in UAE last winter, something MS Dhoni attributed to more game time for his players in the months leading into the tournament.

MS Dhoni spoke on his team’s resurgence and tried to sum up why it has been possible after another impressive victory on Wednesday (April 28) in Delhi where CSK overcame the challenge posed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) quite comfortably.

IPL 2021: MS Dhoni gives views on CSK’s wonderful resurgence after last year’s poor campaign

IPL 2021: MS Dhoni gives views on CSK’s wonderful resurgence after last year’s poor campaign

MS Dhoni gives views on CSK’s wonderful resurgence after last year’s poor campaign

“I think addressing the problem (on what’s been different for CSK this year?),” MS Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.

“Whenever you start the tournament, you may or may not face issues in playing XI. The earlier you settle the better. Another factor was 5-6 months we were out of cricket. Nothing was allowed. It’s not that you could go on your own and practice. That also makes it difficult. Change of quarantine, was slightly longer. Lot of factors.”

“Overall if I have to sum it up, the players have taken more responsibility this year. You will be facing adverse things but ultimately it boils down to how each individual rises to the occasion and gives the extra 10 percent for the team,” he added.

An all-round performance against SRH saw CSK restrict the opposition to a score of 171/3 after being asked to bowl first upon losing the toss and then chase down the 174-run target with seven wickets to spare.

While the likes of Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were stand-out performers with the ball, opening batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis emerged as heroes with the bat in the second half for CSK.

Speaking of the game, MS Dhoni said he was surprised by how true the traditionally slow and uneven track in Delhi played, especially during the run-chase and that without any aid from the dew.

“The batting was superb. But that doesn’t mean the bowling was not good. It was a surprisingly good wicket. Whenever we come to Delhi we never expect a wicket like this. It was coming on nicely, there was nothing for the spinners as well. Good thing was there was no dew. Last night we felt 170 was just below par if there’s no dew. Brilliant opening partnership,” MS Dhoni signed off.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) next face defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in Delhi on Saturday (May 1).