NEW DELHI: As MS Dhoni gears up for another IPL season with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), speculation looms over whether this might be his final campaign in the league. Having led CSK to their fifth title triumph in the previous season, Dhoni's leadership and experience remain invaluable assets for the team.
As the Yellow Brigade prepares to step onto the field once again, all eyes are on Dhoni as he aims to steer CSK towards yet another shot at IPL glory.
While questions persist about his future beyond this season, Dhoni's focus is undoubtedly fixed on the task at hand: guiding his team to success, starting with the highly anticipated clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener on March 22 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.
South Africa legend AB de Villiers said Dhoni's team will once enter into the tournament as title favourites.
“There were a lot of rumours about MS Dhoni finishing up last year, that was not the case, ladies and gentlemen. He would be back again. Will this be his final season? No one knows. He just seems to be this diesel engine that never ends. He keeps running. What an incredible player, what an incredible captain,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers, who represented RCB and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) during his IPL career, lauded CSK and credited Dhoni for making the five-time champions an 'intimidating team'.
“I believe it’s through their presence, it’s through the leadership of MSD, a calm coach in Stephen Fleming, senior players in Ravi Jadeja, and others who have really set this incredible culture alive. They are a very intimidating team to play against. They are never easy to beat,” De Villiers said.
“That is always a great characteristic of a very successful unit, of a very successful franchise. When you are playing well, it’s, ‘Yes, no problem, no one’s gonna stop us’ but when you are not playing so well – they always find a way to compete,” he added.
“They won last year. Yes, they want to defend their title but there’s almost no pressure on MSD and his troops and I think that makes them dangerous. Can they go back-to-back? They certainly have the ability,” the South African said.
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