In an interesting analogy, former South African captain AB de Villiers has compared Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni to a diesel engine, emphasizing his relentless work ethic and unwavering commitment to the game.
Speculations were rife that Dhoni will take retirement right after the 2023 IPL season, with many questioning whether it would mark the end of his illustrious career. Despite facing a significant knee injury, Dhoni, fueled by his dedication to the CSK franchise, decided to return for another season. After undergoing knee surgery and putting in rigorous rehabilitation efforts, the 42-year-old is set to lead the five-time champions once again in IPL 2024, which kicks off on March 22.
De Villiers, reflecting on CSK’s success, highlighted Dhoni’s leadership, Coach Stephen Fleming’s guidance, and the experience of players like Ravindra Jadeja as key factors.
“They played some incredible cricket last year. There were a lot of rumors 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.
“I believe it’s through their presence, it’s through the leadership of MSD, a calm coach in Stephen Fleming, senior players in Ravindra 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. 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.
The South African maestro also emphasized the formidable aura surrounding CSK, describing them as an intimidating force on the cricketing battlefield. Their stronghold at the Chepauk stadium, fondly referred to as a ‘fortress’, added an impregnable dimension to their dominance.
De Villiers sounded a cautionary note to rival IPL teams, warning them of the peril posed by a CSK side unburdened by the weight of expectations. Having clinched the title in the previous season, CSK now shoulders the mantle of defending champions with a sense of tranquility, free from the shackles of undue pressure.
“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,” he concluded.
CSK will play the season opener against RCB at Chennai on March 22.