IPL 2021: The Endeavor Would Be To Win - Ravi Shastri Feels MS Dhoni And CSK Would Like To Keep The Momentum Going

Team India head coach Ravi Shastri reckoned there will be no complacency when MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take the field in their remaining matches. The Men in Yellow have already qualified for the playoffs, and it’s all about keeping the momentum going, as per Shastri.

After having a horrible IPL 2020 season, CSK was written off by pundits. They felt the squad had no freshness and relied on the experienced players to pull through every time. However, the team has responded in a stunning fashion, securing the playoff spot with three games still remaining.

They look set to beat Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) record of highest points in the IPL league stage, which is currently set at 22. Dhoni and the boys have the chance to reach 24 points, but Shastri wonders if CSK would like to give the bench players a go.

“The ball is in CSK’s court, how they want to play. They have qualified, they are going to finish 1 or 2, there is no question about that. It’s how Dhoni sees it. Does he want to rest players or does he want to try one or two players for the game? The endeavor would be to win. They would start as favorites, but no one likes to lose momentum,” Shastri mentioned.

Dhoni is the greatest white-ball captain ever – Ravi Shastri

Speaking about the CSK skipper, MS Dhoni, Shastri termed him as the greatest white-ball captain ever. Under the 40-year-old wicket-keeper batsman, India has won the T20 World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the ODI World Cup. No other player has achieved the treble.

“Dhoni is the greatest white-ball captain ever. Just look at his record in ICC tournaments. What has he not won? IPL, Champions League, all ICC tournaments, two World Cups. There is no one close to him when it comes to white-ball cricket.

“He has to be the greatest. The King Kong, you can call him in that fashion. When you see Dhoni captaining a side, there’s that assurance and calmness of things in control. The other side might be whacking sixes or fours but you still get the feeling there is this composure and control,” Shastri noted.

Dhoni announced his retirement in August 2020 but continues to play for the CSK in the IPL.

Also Read – IPL 2021: The Way Suryakumar Yadav Was Dismissed In The Last Game Is A Cause Of Concern – Sanjay Manjrekar