New Delhi (IANS) | The biggest feature of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy is his consistent backing of a player to bring out the best in him in international cricket or IPL. The captain’s support plays a big role in a player’s performance on the field. Captain’s support can make a player’s good or bad day on the field.
Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a 19-ball half-century in Chennai’s seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023, said he was encouraged by the words of Dhoni who told him to trust himself with his bat.
After the end of the match, Dhoni had said that Chennai has faith in the ability of fast bowler Tushar Pandey. Tushar bowled Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma and later dismissed Tim David on an off-cutter.
Kedar Jadhav, who spent three seasons in Chennai under Dhoni’s captaincy, said the atmosphere Dhoni creates during a competition plays a vital role in keeping the player’s morale high.
“MS Dhoni is such a captain who gives long hours to his players. He backs the players and creates such an atmosphere that the confidence of the players is always high,” he said in response to a question by ‘IANS’ in a virtual conversation by Jio Cinema. He puts players in positions where he can perform eight or nine times out of 10.”
Jadhav said, “It is like a blessing for those players who have played under the captaincy of MS Dhoni and have made a successful career.”
On Dhoni playing his last season for Chennai, Jadhav said, “CSK fans will certainly not be ready for Dhoni’s retirement and neither were Indian fans when he retired from international cricket in August 2020. But this is the reality of every cricketer’s life and I think this will be his last season in IPL. He will be 42 in a month or two.
Jadhav called Rituraj Gaikwad suitable to captain Chennai after Dhoni.
–IANS
