Rejecting speculation that he is the behind-the-scenes decision-maker for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) despite stepping down as captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni emphasized that his focus remains on adapting his game to stay relevant in the IPL.
Speaking to JioStar after CSK’s four-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in their opening match of IPL 2024, Dhoni reflected on team dynamics under new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, his personal approach to the evolving T20 format, and the rise of regional commentary in the tournament.
Staying Relevant in Modern T20 Cricket
With the batting approach in T20s evolving, Dhoni acknowledged the need to adjust his game:
“Batsmen are now taking more risks while playing proper cricketing shots. You see reverse scoops, sweeps, and reverse sweeps against fast bowlers. I am no different; I have to adapt as well. This is what is required of me, given my batting position. You have to stay relevant,” Dhoni said.
Comparing T20 cricket from 2008 to now, he highlighted how pitch conditions in India have improved, making them more batter-friendly than before.
Gaikwad in Full Control as CSK Captain
The five-time IPL-winning captain clarified that Ruturaj Gaikwad is fully in charge of CSK, contrary to speculation that Dhoni is making decisions in the background.
“Ruturaj has been with us for a long time. He is calm and composed—key qualities for a leader. Before the season, I told him, ‘If I give you advice, you don’t have to follow it. I will try to stay away as much as possible.’
“Throughout the season, people speculated that I was making the decisions, but the reality is that Ruturaj was responsible for 99% of the calls. Bowling changes, field placements—those were all his decisions. I was just helping him when needed, and he did a brilliant job managing the team,” Dhoni added.
Bond with Virat Kohli
Dhoni also spoke about his long-standing relationship with Virat Kohli, which evolved from a captain-young player dynamic to a deep friendship over the years.
“It was always an honest exchange of ideas—discussing if a certain approach was right or if any adjustments were needed. Over time, as we kept interacting, we became friends. Even today, we share that bond, but there is always a line of respect between a senior and a junior.”
Now that neither of them is leading a team, Dhoni noted that they get more time to talk before matches.
Love for Regional Commentary in IPL
Dhoni praised IPL broadcasters for introducing regional commentary, saying it provides new perspectives on the game.
“Listening to commentary offers an outsider’s view, sparking new ideas that can be evaluated with intelligence and data. I haven’t heard much regional commentary, but I know that Bhojpuri commentary is highly energetic. It reminds me of old-school radio commentary, where the commentators were very involved. I find that very interesting,” he said.
At 43, Dhoni continues to evolve with the game, not just as a cricketer but also as a mentor and strategist, ensuring CSK remains a dominant force in the IPL.
