‘Will Change Dramatically’: Former Australia Cricketer Says MS Dhoni’s Retirement Will Have a Significant Impact on CSK

Though it is not confirmed yet, the perception is that MS Dhoni might play his final season of IPL alongside the Chennai Super Kings icon, which is expected to call time on his career.

Whenever that happens, he will make a significant impact on his beloved franchise CSK, whom he has led to four IPL titles since his inception.

Former Australia international Tom Moody, who was formerly the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, believes that CSK will see dramatic changes in Dhoni’s absence.

Certainly it will change dramatically on the field, Moody said. ESPNcricinfo. He said, ‘He (Dhoni) will still be there because I am sure he will still be there in some mentor or coaching role. Leadership influence is crucial in the IPL and we have seen historically that very well led teams often finish in the top four.”

Dhoni has been suffering from knee problems and is often seen with a limp, which has limited his mobility on the field. He comes down the batting order late but has produced a series of impressive cameos.

Moody says that the support that franchises like CSK and Mumbai Indians give to their players motivates them to play without the fear of failure.

Players like Ajinkya Rahane (CSK) and Piyush Chawla (MI) have made impressive comebacks in the ongoing edition of IPL with impressive performances.

“It is easy for someone like Piyush Chawla or Ajinkya Rahane to succeed in a franchise like MI or CSK because they feel their skills are backed and trusted and given the opportunity to fail. Everyone fails, and it’s a matter of making sure that person still feels that they belong and are trusted in what they’re doing,” Moody said.

CSK will take on Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier on Tuesday while MI will face Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday.