MS Dhoni has been outstanding in his role as the finisher for Chennai Super Kings. (Sportzpics)
As MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL remains uncertain, CSK’s batting coach, Mike Hussey had an interesting take regarding whether this would be Thala’s last season.
MS Dhoni’s future with the Chennai Super Kings somehow always finds the spotlight with the 42-year-old’s role with the side now reduced to a pinch-hitter with the bat and a steady wicketkeeper. However, the CSK batting coach talked about how he sees the future of the legendary captain with the franchise.
Speaking at ESPN’s Around the Wicket show, Hussey talked about why Dhoni has seen a reduced role with the bat. Since the last season, Dhoni in the batting aspect has been primarily utilised as an out-and-out finisher who will face somewhere around the last 10-12 deliveries which he looks to maximise.
“I know fans probably want to see him batting a little bit higher in the order, but that (the knee surgery) is why we have had to manage him a little bit and he only comes in at the back end. But there has been no one better in being able to come in and hit the ball so cleanly from ball one than MS. He has been phenomenal,” said the CSK batting coach.
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As for the secret to Dhoni’s continued performances with the limited deliveries, Hussey pointed out that he gets into camp early on and faces a lot of balls which has helped him.
He said, “He is still batting so well. He does prepare well – he gets into the camp very early and hits a lot of balls. He has been in good touch all season. I guess we just got to try to manage him from the body side of things. He had a knee surgery after the last season. So he has been managing that from the initial stage of the tournament.
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As for Dhoni’s future in the IPL, Hussey remains unsure but believes that the legendary keeper-batter has his plans but is very secretive.
“Your guess is as good as mine at this stage. He keeps his cards very, very close to his chest. We are hoping he does keep going,” he commented.
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The former Australian international, however, wants to see Dhoni go on for a few more years and concluded by suggesting not to expect a decision anytime soon.
“From a personal point of view, I hope he keeps going for another couple of years. But we will just have to wait and see. He is the only one who will make that call. And he likes to sort of build the drama a little bit as well. So I wouldn’t expect a decision anytime soon,” he concluded.
