Former India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri paid tribute to MS Dhoni as the Chennai Super Kings captain completed 15 years as an Indian Premier League (IPL) player on April 19, 2023. Shastri said that Dhoni’s contribution to making the IPL and CSK a brand has been immense and there can’t be enough words to describe how important a player the CSK legend has been for the Indian T20 league in the past 15 years.
Dhoni, who made his IPL debut as CSK captain on April 19, 2008, against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) has played in all 16 editions of the cash-rich league to date and has helped CSK reach nine IPL finals and 11 playoffs in the 13 editions of their participation in the IPL.
“I think in many ways he has helped the property grow big time. Just with his presence there, just the way he conducts himself, just what he has done for the franchise Chennai Super Kings, made them a brand. He himself mentioned that he is called Thala, which means leader. When he walks into Chennai, his contribution is immense. There can’t be enough words to describe how important a player he has been for IPL. And to win it four times as captain, you know, that’s the ultimate stamp,” Ravi Shastri said while speaking on Star Sports ahead of the RR vs LSG IPL 2023 match.
The coolness and poise in his demeanour, combined with a smart cricketing brain, make for a lethal combination on the cricketing field, and the gleaming cutlery in CSK’s trophy cabinets attest to his exceptional leadership qualities. For the first eight seasons of the league, he was the face of the Chennai Super Kings, leading them to two wins (2010 and 2011) and four runner-up finishes. In the ninth edition of the league, he was the first player picked by Rising Pune Supergiant. And, once again, he was the first player retained by CSK ahead of the 2018 IPL Player Auction. The league’s 2018 season ended on a fairytale note, with another Dhoni leading CSK to their 3rd IPL title win.
Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, CSK also reached the finals of the 2019 edition of the league. While MS Dhoni has retired after a 16-year distinguished stint with Team India, he was spotted wearing the CSK jersey again in 2020. Dhoni, 41, made history by becoming the first player to lead a single team in 200 IPL matches. The match between CSK and Rajasthan Royals at Chepauk was MSD’s 200th game as CSK captain.
