NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer and current Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir lauded the strategic brilliance of Chennai Super Kings in harnessing the unparalleled prowess of MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League 2024.
Gambhir emphasized that CSK’s tactical approach, particularly in assigning Dhoni the finisher’s role with just 8-10 balls, has unleashed the legendary cricketer’s potential to make an immediate impact on the game.
“It is a strategy of CSK (Dhoni facing just 8-10 balls) and that has given Dhoni the freedom. Different teams have different strategies and CSK has done this for the past 2-3 years. The freedom has allowed Dhoni to have an impact. When you play 20-25 balls you have that responsibility to consolidate, but when it’s just 8-10 balls you can go out there and express yourself with freedom,” expressed Gambhir in an interaction with Sportskeeda.Highlighting Dhoni’s phenomenal performance in the ongoing IPL season, Gambhir underscored the leadership similarities between Dhoni and himself during their IPL rivalry.
“I feel insecurity is the biggest reason for a player’s failure. It’s not about ability. If you don’t have the ability you won’t reach the first-class, IPL, or international level in the first place. So it is important to have a secure dressing room. A secure dressing room is a happy dressing room and it eventually becomes a winning dressing room,” Gambhir remarked, reflecting on the conducive environment for players’ success.
Gambhir emphasized that CSK’s tactical approach, particularly in assigning Dhoni the finisher’s role with just 8-10 balls, has unleashed the legendary cricketer’s potential to make an immediate impact on the game.
“It is a strategy of CSK (Dhoni facing just 8-10 balls) and that has given Dhoni the freedom. Different teams have different strategies and CSK has done this for the past 2-3 years. The freedom has allowed Dhoni to have an impact. When you play 20-25 balls you have that responsibility to consolidate, but when it’s just 8-10 balls you can go out there and express yourself with freedom,” expressed Gambhir in an interaction with Sportskeeda.Highlighting Dhoni’s phenomenal performance in the ongoing IPL season, Gambhir underscored the leadership similarities between Dhoni and himself during their IPL rivalry.
“I feel insecurity is the biggest reason for a player’s failure. It’s not about ability. If you don’t have the ability you won’t reach the first-class, IPL, or international level in the first place. So it is important to have a secure dressing room. A secure dressing room is a happy dressing room and it eventually becomes a winning dressing room,” Gambhir remarked, reflecting on the conducive environment for players’ success.
Dhoni’s batting prowess in the IPL 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable, with the veteran cricketer showcasing his unmatched skills as a finisher. Dhoni stands on the cusp of reaching a significant milestone of 250 sixes in the IPL. With a staggering strike rate of 229.16 in ten games, Dhoni’s impact on CSK’s fortunes has been undeniable.
Despite a minor setback against Punjab Kings, where Dhoni (14 off 11) was run out off the final ball of the innings – his first dismissal in the season, his significance in guiding CSK through tense situations remains undiminished.