CSK played their brand of cricket with return of MS Dhoni as captain: Wasim Jaffer

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have not been able to be potent enough in IPL 2022, and have secured only three victories in nine league matches. They won their last league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 13 runs. Currently, they are up against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their 10th league match. Ahead of this fixture, former Indian cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Nikhil Chopra discussed the form of CSK and captain MS Dhoni.

Jaffer reckoned that all the CSK players knew their roles with Jadeja at the helm, but with MS Dhoni returning as the leader, it has made a notable difference in the squad. He thinks that the players gradually come into a comfort zone and get a concrete idea of what is expected from them under the former Indian captain’s leadership. The 44-year-old further added that Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to form in the last league match with Dhoni’s first stint as captain this season, and the team displayed their brand of cricket.

“I think even before MS when Ravindra Jadeja was at the helm, everyone knew their roles. But with MS Dhoni leading the side, you are in a comfort zone, they are in their happy place and know what is expected from them. They know MS Dhoni’s X-factor as a captain and support all their moves from him. But, if Jadeja does it, you got a question mark due to his credentials as a captain,” said Jaffer on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket’ Show on CricTracker.

I think the team will be very happy with MS Dhoni as captain: Wasim Jaffer

“They will be very happy like Ruturaj Gaikwad has come back to form as soon as MS Dhoni was made the captain. They played the brand of cricket, that we all know of CSK, so I think the team will be very happy with him as the captain,” Jaffer added.

Chopra reckoned that it was a good move by Dhoni to come at the number three position after a terrific partnership between Gaikwad and Conway in the last fixture. He further added that the CSK captain tried to take the bull by horns and tried well to provide a late flourish to the team. In seven balls, Dhoni managed to score eight runs and was dismissed by T. Natarajan.

“The interesting thing is after the start provided by Gaikwad and Conway, but when the last few overs were remaining, who came out to bat, MSD himself. It just goes to show he wants to take the bull by horns. I like the responsibility from him after he promoted himself to hit boundaries or sixes and tried to get to a score of 220,” said Nikhil Chopra.