IPL 2019: Three Reasons Why Chennai Super Kings is Over-Dependent on MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings are synonyms when it comes to the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Indian National Cricket team has been associated with the Chennai since the inception of the cash-rich league. He has led the team to three IPL titles while taking the side to the playoffs in all editions they have played. Notably, Chennai didn’t take part in the IPL in 2016 and 2017 due to a suspension for their involvement in match-fixing. Such is the stature of the man, and any team is bound to miss him when he is not available for selection.

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With the ICC World Cup 2019 in sight, MS Dhoni has undertaken a safety-first approach. He has tried to keep himself injury-free, and as a result, when Dhoni sustained a back spasm, he pulled out of the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Earlier today, he missed the jaw-dropping clash against Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, in both the games, the absence of MS Dhoni has been significant and also the results haven’t come their way.

Chennai Super Kings suffered their first defeat of the season when Hyderabad overhauled them by six wickets. And today, Mumbai took away them convincingly by 40 runs at the den of Chennai – Chepauk. Moreover, this is also their first loss at home in the six games so far in this season. In the absence of MS Dhoni, the defending champions have looked clueless, and it felt like nobody is aware of their roles in the team. Also, there can be no comparisons between Dhoni and Raina’s leadership qualities. Raina has been a failure in both the games he has led and the management should look for other options in Dhoni’s absence.

On the context, let us look at the three reasons why Chennai Super Kings is over-dependent on MS Dhoni:

MS Dhoni’s leadership abilities

MS Dhoni is arguably the greatest captain to grace the cricketing fraternity. Under his leadership, the Indian team have travelled places and have earned accolades all around the globe. Besides, he has led the Chennai Super Kings outstandingly in the last 12 years and gave them three IPL titles.

Dhoni’s ability to read games and understand match situations is unparallel. Also, his presence of mind at challenging situations have taken Dhoni to a different league. The illustrious cricketer’s ability to bring the best out of the players have been the USP of this Chennai Super Kings team. Besides, this side have looked like a family on and off the field, and MS Dhoni is the main architect behind this.

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The three-time IPL champions have lacked a genuine leader in his absence, and there is nobody yet to fill the shoes of the great leader.

A trustworthy player in the middle-order

With age cropping up, MS Dhoni has crossed his prime, and his performance graph has witnessed a downslide. However, he is still among the best batting in the middle-order for any side in the middle order. Dhoni has scored tons of runs for the Super Kings in the middle order winning games with the bat.

Meanwhile, the franchise have failed to create another player in the middle order upon whom they can rely on. The likes of Amabti Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav have been unable to offer consistency and lead the batting unit in case of a top-order collapse.

Lack of players to take responsibility and win games is what still makes MS Dhoni irreplaceable in this Chennai Super Kings team.

Ability to guide bowlers from behind the wicket

The presence of MS Dhoni behind the wicket is like gold for any team. He has been the main man behind Virat Kohli’s impeccable success with the national team. He has guided the young bowlers from behind who have excelled across the globe in the national jersey.

The rise of Deepak Chahar from ash to one of the best in the country can solely be credited to Dhoni. Dhoni has guided him from behind the stumps and used him tactically to make him what he is today. Also, Dhoni’s ability to understand the mindset of his bowlers make the job easy for him to work with them.

The bowlers have looked out of plans in the absence of Dhoni which has helped the opponent batsmen to dominate them and took the game away.

With MS Dhoni nearing his retirement age, it will be fascinating to see how Chennai Super Kings copes with this massive loss.