IPL Provided Opportunity To Know About Other Players: MS Dhoni Recalls Inaugural Season With CSK

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain and Indian cricket stalwart MS Dhoni will return to action for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League in the opening clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 22. Dhoni, who is in the final stage of his cricketing career, recalled the contribution of the IPL in knowing foreign players better.

Speaking to Star Sports before the start of the IPL 2024 season, five-time title-winning skipper Dhoni heaped praise on his 2008 teammates in yellow jersey including the likes of Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, Makhaya Ntini, and Jacob Oram. He said that knowing each other at that point was a challenge because they were playing together for the first time.

“The Chennai team that played in 2008 was a well-balanced team and had a lot of all-rounders. The team had a vast pool of experienced players such as Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, Makhaya Ntini, and Jacob Oram. To get them all together in one dressing room, to get to know each other was a challenge,” Dhoni said.

As the leader of the team, Dhoni stressed that it is important to know your fellow players to strengthen the team further.

“I always believed that when you’re leading a team, it is important to make sure you understand each other. Once you know the individual, you know his strength, his weaknesses, it becomes easier as a team to move in the right direction,” he said.