Chennai Super Kings opener Devon Conway said that legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni is very well-liked and worshipped in the country during the 2023 season. The 41-year-old led Chennai Super Kings to record 5th title in the IPL, winning five titles in the 14 seasons played by them.
There was a lot of speculation that MS Dhoni was playing his last season for Chennai Super Kings(CSK) in the 16th edition of the IPL as the fans turned up in large numbers in CSK colours to support him during home and away games.
Speaking to SENZ Radio, Devon Conway said that it was incredible to see the kind of support received by the CSK skipper all over the country in IPL 2023 and revealed that even the away games looked like home games as a lot of supporters were travelling to support their captain in the away games.
“He (Dhoni) is very well-liked in India, he’s pretty much worshipped there. To see the following and the support they have for him is incredible. Every away game we had was pretty much a home game because of all the supporters travelling to support MS Dhoni. It was special — a different world than what we’re used to. I don’t think he’s able to do much outside the hotel due to his fame,” Devon Conway asserted.
The New Zealand batter feels that the Indian World Cup-winning skipper has got the respect of the players in the team and hailed him for keeping the team culture good and reckons that it is tremendous to have the support of the captain.
“He’s got the respect of the players. The way he runs the show there, he drives a good culture, and he’s got a good relationship with MS and the franchise owners as well. Having his support is very important and beneficial for us as a group and individuals,” Conway added.
Conway played a vital role in the Chennai Super Kings title-winning campaign in IPL 2023, scoring six half-centuries for his team and 672 runs in 16 games for his side, being the third leading run-getter in the competition, forming a vital opening partnership alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad in the top of the order.
I Was Pretty Happy To Be Allowed To Open The Batting – Devon Conway
Devon Conway was delighted to open the batting for the five-time champions in the cash-rich league and was grateful for the opportunity provided to him by the skipper MS Dhoni and their head coach Stephen Fleming in the 2023 season.
“I was pretty happy to be allowed to open the batting throughout the season and be backed by Stephen Fleming and the captain MS Dhoni. It was a proud opportunity for me to grow my game and express myself in the IPL,” Devon further Conway added.
MS Dhoni has been captaining the Chennai franchise since the inaugural edition (2008) and led the team to become the most successful franchise winning 5 IPL titles in the cash-rich league to equal the record of Mumbai Indians in league history.