'They kept things very very simple, great quality to have' - Gautam Gambhir on CSK winning IPL 2021

Former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir has opened up about the fourth title win of Chennai Super Kings. On October 15, CSK defeated KKR in the final of the 2021 season in Dubai to clinch the title. Gambhir was involved as a skipper when KKR won their inaugural season in 2012, defeating CSK in the final. 

Having spent several years in the same dressing room, Gambhir has a great insight into how Dhoni runs his teams and how he makes them play the way they do. The former Indian cricketer explained that Dhoni likes having six or seven options up his sleeve all the time when it comes to batting and bowling. He also noted that Dhoni has a liking for multi-dimensional players. 

He likes those players who can contribute two things in the game: Gambhir on MS Dhoni

“I think they kept things very very simple. That’s also a great quality to have. Rather than being too innovative and stuff, MS likes keeping things very simple. He has always enjoyed having a lot of options. If you see, he always had six or seven options up his sleeve where he likes those players who can contribute two things in the game,” Gambhir said on ESPNCricinfo. 

Gambhir also noted that Dhoni doesn’t change his team a lot and he doesn’t switch people around. He gave an example of Moeen Ali, who was backed by the veteran skipper to bat ahead of Suresh Raina at no. 3. The plan of using Ali actually worked as he batted pretty well in the opportunities which he got. 

“They probably are the most consistent side as well. They don’t chop and change a lot and at the same time identify people who are in good form as well. Imagine pushing Moeen Ali to No.3 and Suresh Raina was actually pushed back at No.4. A lot of captains would have gone with Raina at No.3 with the record he has had in the past,” Gambhir added. 

The former batter also spoke about Dhoni’s lack of contribution with the bat. He said that the CSK skipper didn’t need to do a lot with the bat as he had players doing that job for him. It is worth noting though, Dhoni’s 6-ball 18 took CSK right into the final beating Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1. That could also remain Dhoni’s last innings in the IPL.