In what could potentially be his final season with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), there are assumptions that MS Dhoni might be nearing the end of his storied career in the IPL. Dhoni’s departure will undoubtedly leave a significant impact on the beloved CSK franchise, as he has been their leader since the inception of the IPL, guiding them to four titles. Tom Moody, who previously served as the head coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), believes that Dhoni’s absence will bring a dramatic change on the field for CSK.
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, as per the quotes in News18, Tom Moody stated, “It will change dramatically on the field, for sure. He (Dhoni) will still have a presence because I’m sure he will still be there in some mentoring role or coaching role. The impact of leadership is significant in the IPL, and we have seen historically that the very well-led teams are more often than not in the top four.”
Dhoni has been dealing with a knee issue, often seen limping, which has affected his mobility on the field. Despite coming down the batting order, he has still managed to produce impressive cameos.
WATCH – Yuzvendra Chahal and Joe Root’s Heartfelt Farewell: RR Shares Emotional Montage Video
Emphasizing the fact that the players receive in the franchises like CSK and Mumbai Indians, Tom Moody opines that it enables players to play without the fear of failure. Players like Ajinkya Rahane (CSK) and Piyush Chawla (MI) have made remarkable comebacks in the ongoing edition of the IPL, showcasing their skills and delivering strong performances.
Elaborating on his point of view further, Tom Moody said, “It is easier for someone like Piyush Chawla or Ajinkya Rahane to succeed in a franchise like MI or CSK because they feel like their skill is backed and they are trusted and given the opportunity to fail. Everyone fails, and it’s the case of making sure that person still feels that they belong and they are trusted in what they are doing.”
ALSO READ: The Night MS Dhoni Wept, Recalls Former Spinner Harbhajan Singh
As CSK prepares to face the Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier on Tuesday, and Mumbai Indians take on the Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday, the potential retirement of Dhoni looms over the tournament, leaving fans and experts curious about the impact it will have on the team dynamics and future performances.
