MS Dhoni dismissed rumors that he continues to influence decisions behind the scenes for Chennai Super Kings after stepping down as captain.
The 43-year-old, who led CSK to five IPL titles, passed the leadership to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season. While he engages in discussions with Gaikwad, Dhoni emphasized that he avoids pressuring him to follow his suggestions.
Speaking on JioStar, MS Dhoni highlighted why Ruturaj Gaikwad was chosen as a leader, saying, “Ruturaj has been with us for a while. He has a calm and composed temperament, which made him a strong candidate for the leadership role.”
Dhoni also shared advice he gave Gaikwad before the tournament, stating, “I told him before the season started that if I offer suggestions, it doesn’t mean he has to follow them. I wanted to give him space to make his own decisions. There was speculation that I was making the calls in the background, but the truth is, 99 percent of the decisions were his. He handled key aspects like bowling changes and field placements, and I was just there to offer guidance. He managed the team exceptionally well.”
Reflecting on his own game, Dhoni acknowledged how cricket has evolved. “Modern-day batters have become more confident in taking risks. They believe they can play big shots using proper cricketing technique while also adding innovative strokes like the reverse scoop or sweeps against pacers. I also need to adapt and stay relevant, considering where I bat in the order,” he said.
He further explained how T20 cricket has changed over the years. “The approach to T20 cricket in 2008 was nowhere near as evolved as it is in today’s IPL. Back then, pitches had more turn and were two-paced. Now, Indian wickets have improved significantly and favor batters much more,” Dhoni noted.