Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni has said that the rebuilding process for next year has already started for them after a rather forgettable campaign in the ongoing Indian Premier League. However, CSK are struggling at the bottom of the points table after a poor campaign where they became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs reckoning.

Dhoni, under whose captaincy CSK won five IPL titles in the past, had handed over leadership duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the start of the 2024 season, but he had to lead after an injury to him as well.

“I think we have already started that process,” MS Dhoni said at the toss for their penultimate match against Rajasthan Royals. “When it comes to our batting department, we want to express ourselves. That’s what we did in the last few games. We want to move ahead with it.”

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“Bowling, we have gone for some runs. Maybe we need one extra bowler who can bowl after the powerplay. We have done well in the last couple of games and we want to continue in the same way,” he further added.

However, CSK have just 6 points after 12 matches this season. And, Dhoni said that the team started to focus on planning for the future as well.

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“One of the main things when we were out of the tournament was to get answers. It’s about getting that combination right and getting that one player in the XI who you can target in the auction. At the start of the season, we struggled in the batting department. We have improved in it. It’s about sealing your spot for the players going forward,” he added.

“When you are in pressure, you find yourselves looking for options. In these games, you have the opportunity to express yourselves and play your shots. What we have seen from the other teams is that you can play good cricketing shots and have a good strike rate,” MS Dhoni concluded.