IPL 2021: The Way MS Dhoni Handled The Team Was Remarkable, Reckons Parthiv Patel

Former Indian keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has lauded MS Dhoni for scripting Chennai Super Kings’ strong comeback in IPL 2021. Until the tournament’s suspension, Chennai Super Kings was one of the most consistent teams, standing second in the points table by recording five wins out of seven. Parthiv Patel believes that after a disappointing season last year, MS Dhoni is the sort of leader they needed to bounce back.

Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2020 campaign was their most underwhelming of them all, having failed to reach the playoffs for the first time. They managed only six victories out of 14 matches and their playoffs chances ended before their last two games of the edition. But the yellow army bounced back well despite starting the tournament with a seven-wicket loss to the Delhi Capitals. They then registered five wins on the trot.

Parthiv Patel remained confident that the Super Kings would do well this year, remarking that it was in his top four. The Gujarat-born cricketer credited MS Dhoni in particular for handling the team and thinks that a side needs a strong captain to make a strong comeback.

“I had no doubts about it. CSK was in my top four even before the tournament started. But I thought the way MS Dhoni handled the team, it was remarkable. When you have to make a comeback, you need a strong captain,” Patel said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Everyone was thinking that MS Dhoni will come and bat at No.4 or No.5: Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel also hailed all-rounder Moeen Ali for performing his role well with the bat instead of Suresh Raina, who used to do it before. The 36-year old also underlined that contrary to popular beliefs that Dhoni will bat up the order; he allowed others who hit the ball well to face more deliveries.

“Everyone thought Suresh Raina will bat at No.3 but it was Moeen Ali. He knew what changes he needed to do. Everyone was thinking that MS Dhoni will come and bat at No.4 or No.5. He took a backseat, he knew that there are guys who are batting well and they should get more number of overs,” he added further.

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