MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side opened its account in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 with a victory in the recently-held game against Lucknow Super Giants. England’s star all-rounder, Moeen Ali shined with bat and ball against LSG. Ali was later awarded player of the match for his 4/26 and 19 runs in the last game.
Ali ahead of their third game in IPL 2023, has predicted MS Dhoni’s successor in the CSK squad. For the leadership role, he named two players from the team, who can lead the Chennai-based IPL franchise.
Moeen Ali says there is no leadership group in MS Dhoni-led CSK-
“He’s really enjoying himself, CSK is the type of franchise where you come here and you do tend to enjoy yourself and really love playing for this franchise. He’s settled in really well. He’s a big part of the team with his experience,” said England’s off-spinner on Ben Stokes.
England’s ace all-rounder, Ben Stokes was picked for a whopping INR 16.25 crores ahead of IPL 2023, but so far in two games with no wickets and less than 20 runs, he has failed to justify his potential for the 4-times champion.
However, Stokes was vice-captaining the ‘poms’ under Joe Root but took full responsibility since Root stepped down in 2020. The stylish left-hander Stokes has 10 wins out of 13 test matches while captaining his national side.
“There’s no real such leadership group: you have the captain and the coaches, and they talk. If Dhoni wants Ben Stokes’ advice, or a chat with him, it’s a very open environment in that changing room.
“I think there’s a chance [that Stokes succeeds Dhoni]; of course there’s a chance, because he’s obviously done really well in Test cricket,but MS is still obviously in charge and he’s going to be captain for a while. We have some other guys as well: Ruturaj is a fantastic player with a good head on his shoulders, so it depends on what the franchise wants,” he further added.
One six for the man. One billion dreams for India.
Time to memoralise it!#WhistlePodu #Yellove @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/PC5O1JWHOh— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 7, 2023
MS Dhoni has been leading CSK since 2008–and is one of the most successful and decorated captains in the history of IPL. He has led the franchise to 4 IPL titles so far as well as two titles in the now-defunct Champions League T20 competition. Under his captaincy, CSK has also finished runners-up on a record 5 occasions. Besides, CSK has failed to make it to the playoffs just twice.
Meanwhile CSK’s opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad was at his absolute best in the first two games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 for his side, with 92 and 57 runs in both matches.
Now, after one win in two matches of IPL 2023, the MS Dhoni-led side will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 8 at Wankhede Stadium.