From 'Mahi Bhai' Taking Pressure, To Players Treated Like Family - What Makes CSK Great
Published - 25 Apr 2020, 04:27 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:05 AM
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have not only been a consistent side in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but also have retained their core values. One bad performance does not mean the franchise drops their player, they would rather back them to perform well in the succeeding matches. This simple step boosts up the morale for a player and they deliver.
Moreover, CSK have a bunch of veteran players, who can inspire the young talents simply by sharing the dressing room. In a live session, former CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Suresh Raina, reflected on what makes the franchise different from the others.
CSK treats players like family: Ravichandran Ashwin
MS Dhoni holds a big stature in international cricket. His presence itself makes the difference. Dhoni not only takes the pressure off the players but guides them to perfection, reckons former CSK-man Ravichandran Ashwin. The premier India spinner also feels there is a sense of oneness and unity in the team.
“At CSK most of the pressure is taken away by the presence of Mahi bhai and because of the victories that we had… the oneness of the team,” Ashwin said.
‘Chinna thalla’ Suresh Raina has been a vital cog in the CSK franchise. He feels the CSK franchise looks after every aspect of players. The Chennai franchise was banned from the lucrative tournament for their involvement in match-fixing but they came back strongly and won the tournament. Even then, every player was treated like family, and made to feel like home.
“The franchise also looks after each and every aspect of the player. They also look after their families… that is what I felt when we came back after two years and won the title. Our families were there, kids were playing. You know how things are… we play a lot of matches and travel a lot and the presence of kids help us remain calm,” Raina added.
CSK have won the IPL thrice — 2010, 2011 and 2018. They have regularly reached the play-off stage besides clinching the now defunct CLT20 twice — 2010, 2014.
