MS Dhoni's inspirational words ignite celebration in CSK dressing room after IPL 2023 victory

MS Dhoni won his 5th Indian Premier League as Captain.

For Chennai Super Kings' success, there is a big role of their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his leadership skills. MS Dhoni is considered as one of the greatest captains in Indian Cricket and IPL. His record speaks volumes about how he handled his role in his career.

CSK won their 5th IPL title equaling Mumbai Indians' record of most title wins. These all 5 wins have come under MS Dhoni. Many players have credited MS Dhoni as a leader for their success in winning the big tournaments. MS Dhoni’s style of leadership is known for showing trust in his troops and planning according to their strength. Dhoni knows how to build a team and give a player the confidence he requires to execute plans. 

MS Dhoni provides confidence a player need

Even in the IPL 2023, CSK didn’t have a great start. Their pacers were leaking runs, bowling no-balls, out of rhythm, and injured. Tushar Deshpande had poor games to start the season and was criticised heavily on Social media. In the end, he was CSK’s leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets in 16 games. Tushar Deshpande revealed the confidence he got from MS in the dressing room after the first few games. He said, “Once I didn’t bowl well, he came and said that with the new impact player rule, 200 plus score is the new normal and he told me don’t worry about my place. He gave the surety, which is what players want”. 

Chennai pace bowler Tushar Deshpande also recalled how MS Dhoni reacted inside the dressing room after their triumphant IPL 2023 season. Tushar said, “He told everyone hard work is paid off, but do remember what we did right this year and where we went wrong. Mahi bhai said ‘Ye season tumko kya seekha k gaya hai, aur aage kya karna hai, ye zarur sochna’ (You must think about what you learned this season and what more needs to be done coming ahead)”. This is not the first time, players have come out and spoken about MS Dhoni’s leadership qualities and skills to manage players.

Just like Tushar, CSK’s X-factor this season Shivam Dube also had a poor start. Shivam also revealed that CSK captain MS Dhoni stepped up to boost his morale and put clarity of thoughts and planning in front of him. Dube revealed, “Mahi bhai gave me clarity of thought. He told me what my role is. It was simple, ‘Tujhe jake team ka run rate badhana hai’ (you have to increase the team's run rate), Even if I get out early it's not a problem but focus on completing the task first”. Shivam Dube ended up with 418 runs in 16 games and batted with a strike rate of 158.33, Dube did his job well enough for Chennai.