Heaping praise on MS Dhoni, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has explained what makes the wicketkeeper-batsman different from other cricketers.
MS Dhoni is once again set to lead Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former India skipper would be looking to make a strong comeback with his team in IPL 2023 after a forgettable campaign last year.
In the last few seasons, MS Dhoni has shown that he and his team has the potential and mindset to bounce back after any setback. After serving suspension in 2016 and 2017, CSK went on to win the title in 2018. In 2019, they once again did well but could not win the title as they lost the final.
It was followed by a disappointing campaign in 2020 where they finished 7th in the 8-team competition. MS Dhoni and CSK, however, bounced back in style in 2021 by winning the IPL for the fourth time.
Sunil Gavaskar:
The last season was a disappointing one too for the Chennai-based outfit. Poor performances coupled with controversies made the season a forgettable one for the team. CSK eventually finished IPL 2022 at the ninth position.
And as MS Dhoni get ready to lead CSK once again, Gavaskar has lavished praise on him. The former India skipper stated that Dhoni has the ability to get a team together despite a gap.
“I think when CSK returned and won the IPL trophy, it was absolutely amazing because the team had not been together for two years and they had moved out with different franchises and suddenly they come back again.
“That tells you leadership. That tells you how the man could get a team together again after that gap. Sometimes you know, first year, second year there is a team spirit that happens but to get all of them together after the gap is remarkable,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports Network.
Speaking further, Gavaskar opened up on what makes Dhoni different from others. The former cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Dhoni’s ability to rise under pressure makes him stand out from the others.
“I think therefore that particular year and some of the shots that he played, I remember one game where the teams needed 20 odds runs in the final over and he just smashed it around from everywhere from outside the off stump, he was hitting it over long on for sixes!
“We were used to seeing that from Dhoni but even those little touches of his where he makes a fielder, a player feel 7 feet tall, are the touches that make him stand out from the other,” said Gavaskar.