IPL 2023: MS Dhoni set to lead Chennai Super Kings for 200th time
IPL 2023: MS Dhoni set to lead Chennai Super Kings for 200th time
Legendary India wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni will lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 200th time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he takes the field against Rajasthan. Royals (RR) at the home ground of MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday.
Dhoni is the most consistent captain in IPL history. He has led CSK to four IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021 editions). Although Mumbai Indians (MI) have won five IPL trophies, the MS-led CSK have the advantage of consistency. He has led CSK to the Final Four stage of the tournament in 11 of the 13 editions of the league, finishing runners-up on five occasions.
Dhoni has captained the IPL on 213 occasions, out of which he has won 125 matches, lost 87 and one match ended in a no result. His win percentage of 58.96 makes him one of the most successful IPL captains in a long time.
He also had a one-season stint as captain with Rising Pune Supergiant, a side that was temporarily present in the IPL from 2016 to 2017. He could only win five matches and lost nine out of 14 matches during the 2016 season, finishing seventh on the points table.
He has so far led CSK in 199 matches out of 213, winning 120, losing 78, and failing to deliver a result. His win percentage with CSK as captain is 60.30 per cent.
Dhoni is also a highly accomplished batsman in the IPL, having scored 5,004 runs in league history at an average of 39.09 and a strike rate of over 135. He has scored 24 fifties in his IPL career with a best of 84*.
The occasion will no doubt be special for Dhoni, who is probably playing his last IPL season at the age of 41. He has enough star power in his side to make the occasion memorable for the Indian legend with his performance.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad in top form with 189 runs in three matches, he can count on the support of his opening partner Devon Conway, with whom he has put up several memorable stands. Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a 19-ball fifty in the last match against Mumbai Indians, and the experienced Ambati Rayudu can also be a source of support and stability for the team.
The real strength of the side lies in its pool of all-rounders, who are capable of anchoring, power-hitting and taking vital wickets. Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Shivam Dube and Rajvardhan Hangergekar with their all-round abilities provide CSK with an excellent support system and variety. However, Stokes’ availability is under question due to a knee problem.
These all-rounders also provide a lot of support to the CSK bowling line-up, which includes medium pacer Tushar Deshpande, Sisanda Magala. The absence of fast bowler Deepak Chahar will affect CSK a lot. However, the return of spinner Mahesh Teekshana is a booster for the four-time champions.
Sitting at the fifth position with two wins and four losses, CSK still have a long way to go in the competition. But his immediate focus should be on the Rajasthan Royals, who are looking like the team to beat this season and are second to CSK in terms of wins and losses with similar figures.
The form of openers Jos Buttler (152 runs in three matches) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (125 runs in three matches) has been very difficult for CSK to ignore. Both can send the ball skyward from the start. In-form captain Sanju Samson (97 runs in three matches) and promising wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, anchor Devdutt Paddikal, and aggressive batsmen Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer have added a lot to RR’s batting. Hetmyer’s finishing abilities are crucial for RR posting or chasing big runs. He has scored 97 runs in three matches at an average of 97 and a strike rate of over 176.36.
RR’s bowling is as lethal as its batting. Trent Boult’s pace can create havoc in the powerplay. He is absolutely impossible at that stage of the game. Yuzvendra Chahal’s spin has taken most of RR’s wickets so far as he is second in the race for the ‘Purple Cap’ with eight wickets. If needed, the experience of Jason Holder and Ravichandran Ashwin can also be of great use.
Whatever the result, fans are promised a thrilling game of cricket today.
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