MS Dhoni is a brilliant leader and he will ensure that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will bounce back in the upcoming IPL 2023, said former CSK batter Shane Watson. The CSK will open their IPL tournament against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
After a performance to forget last year in IPL 2022, when CSK finished at a pitiful ninth place, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team will aim for a great return in the 16th edition of the competition.
Only four of CSK’s 14 games were victories; Dhoni first gave the captaincy to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja at the start of the season, but the decision backfired, and the wicketkeeper-batter eventually took over after eight games.
And one of the key members of the IPL 2018 winning side – Shane Watson – believes that the ‘men in yellow’ can definitely return stronger in the upcoming edition.
“CSK will definitely bounce back. They always do. They have got too many great players and are led so incredibly well by MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. They will absolutely turn it around, there is no doubt in my mind, knowing how they work. Right at the back end of my career, to be able to play with CSK and for us to perform as a team in two of the three years was great. The CSK fans, for sure, are something very special,” Watson told Sportstar.
CSK are known for making brilliant comebacks as they won the IPL 2018 after returning back to the Indian Premiere League after being suspended for two years in 2016 and 2017.
He’s The Man: Shane Watson Says That MS Dhoni Can Keep Playing For As Long As He Wants
Many have been speculating that this IPL 2023 might be the last time MS Dhoni plays in the IPL and leads the Chennai Super Kings. While Dhoni has not confirmed anything, he said last year that he will not retire until he says goodbye to his fans in Chennai and across India.
This will happen in IPL 2023 as the tournament goes back to the home-and-away format after three years of isolation. And Watson believes that Dhoni can play “for as long as he wants.”
“He can keep playing for as long as he wants. He is still very fit and it looks like he has put in more work in the lead-up to this tournament. He has a big point to prove that you can play and lead incredibly well as a 42 (41)-year-old. He’s the man,” said Watson.
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