Dhoni has this special medicine; whoever joins CSK, their performances improve automatically: Mohammed Kaif

Former Indian cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Irfan Pathan shed light on various aspects of the upcoming IPL 2024 season and the season opener, which will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 22. The contest pits up two of India's favourite sons - MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, in the proverbial fire-and-ice battle.

Kaif delved into the transformative effect of MS Dhoni's guidance on players' performances, highlighting instances such as Tushar Deshpande and Ajinkya Rahane's resurgence under Dhoni's tutelage. Meanwhile, Pathan discussed the challenges Dhoni might confront this season, particularly with key players like Deepak Chahar and Matheesha Pathirana returning from injury or struggling with form. 

“Whoever joins the team, their performances automatically improve. You can talk about Tushar Deshpande and the cameos of Ajinkya Rahane, especially in the final. I can say that these are players who have not got a great record in the IPL but when they go to Dhoni and Chennai, I wonder what happens to them, what special guidance they get that everyone starts playing well. Dhoni has this special medicine that makes the players fit, alert, and play well for the team,” Kaif told Star Sports while explaining how the performances of players radically improve under the guidance of MS Dhoni.

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Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan highlighted the challenges which Dhoni might face in the upcoming IPL 2024 season, he said: “This time Deepak Chahar is just coming back from injury, Pathirana’s performances for Sri Lanka haven't been great, form isn't too great, Conway has also gotten injured. Now if 3 or 4 of your main players have been injured or their form isn't good, then the team management’s challenge gets tougher. So there is a challenge for Dhoni but since we know Dhoni is a mastermind, he will do something or the other and manage like he's done every year.”