Will Chennai Super Kings Continue its Legacy after Dhoni? | MS Dhoni – The Wiser Investment

What is awaiting for CSK after Dhoni’s era?!

Seasons may roll on. Sponsors may change. But still, CSK remains one of the most successful teams which has been adding spices to the IPL. Out of the 12 seasons, it had played, only in one season, it failed to qualify for Playoffs. This prideful finalist for nine times is accompanied by a flourish of trumpets of four championship titles. The one who observes can clearly understand that the triumph tour of CSK throughout this IPL travel is attributed to their commander, MS Dhoni. As it is hinted here and there that he is going to step aside after this season, let us give an insight into what will come in CSK’s path. Will it be downhill or easy sail???

As a born leader, Dhoni brought so many laurels to the team with his charismatic sovereignty. The team’s performance hardly ever failed and went out of synchronisation just because of his mastery of orchestration. He played the captain role, for more than 200 matches, and own a winning percentage of nearly 60%. No other IPL captains are even nanometres near to him. All the glories of CSK are spun around him. 

If any concern requires someone to give a guest lecture on leadership qualities, Dhoni is a pertinent person for it. He knows how to handle the resources even if it is limited and he is well versed in the art of drawing the best from the players, the external stress cannot strain him. His elastic limit is beyond the imagination. He is inert to the happenings around him and listens only to his inner voice. If ‘Equanimity’ takes human form, then it should be the emulation of Dhoni. All these ONLY DHONI’S things are added together which equals all the success stories of CSK. 

He is not only playing the quota of the captain there but also the role of the batsman and wicket-keeper too. His fancy finishing anecdotes don’t need any introduction and his hawk-eyed keeping skills, even at this age is astonishing. He gave back several times more than what the team had expected from him and that is what will be the real problem for CSK If the emperor will step down from his throne. His legacy is too tough to match and so hard to carry forward. Anyway, nothing lasts forever and CSK will have to look for someone to fill his shoes and replay the shows Dhoni had played earlier.

This is the reason why the recent mega auction was appeared to be a new beginning for CSK. Hopes of finding the new players to build up the ever strong core team was the basic idea. If the playing 11 is flawless and flexible, the new captain will find it easy to handle. It was rumoured in the air that CSK may go for Warner to make him the captain later. But classical CSK played a different game. They had framed their squid squad with most of their ex-players that too by excluding two eminent figures, Raina and du Plessis. Surprisingly, this two were described to be made up of leadership qualities earlier. So what can be the exact plan of CSK? 

Retaining Dhoni for 12 crores clearly explains that he will be leading the team in the yellow jersey for one last time, as expected. But who can be the next captain?? 

Punjab Kings are known for their juggling with captains and some teams like KKR and SRH may bid farewell to the captain in between the tournament. But that won’t happen with CSK. Even back in 2008, it had a clear idea about branding the team with Dhoni at any price and that long time investment still has been paying them off. So CSK will deal with it with their usual cleverly moves and strategies. Jadeja, who is retained with 16 crores may enhance his captainship skills, by acting as the vice-captain of the team in the upcoming season. Earlier, Dhoni was there in the Indian team to guide Kohli for a few years before he hung up his boots. The same history may be rewritten. But CSK may take diversion after a couple of years from Jadeja. The inextinguishable spark of CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad can also be considered as a captain under construction. Undoubtedly he is a top-class opener. But along with that his stint with Maharashtra as a captain is significant and that is one among the reasons for them to clasp him with 6 crores. So the distant future of CSK shows him as the captain in the time mirror. But still, only in a parallel universe, CSK can find someone to equate Dhoni.

After the challenge of captain comes the team building. Most of their foremost players in the current crew like Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, Uthappa are in their 30s and if they will quit, CSK would require a handful of players to fill their spots. The same age factor was the reason for CSK not to go for du Plessis and Raina, at a high cost. So, in this 2022 season itself, the groundwork for that will begin and this season will be like an audition for the selection of players for CSK’s future version. Especially Hunt for a keeper of Dhoni’s quality is going to be the ultimate challenge. CSK will not like to take chances and go through that worst 2020 phase again. So, not just selecting the playing 11, but also increasing the bench strength should be on the agenda of CSK. Building up the new core team, maintaining the balance and winning the games should go parallel in the same direction. Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar will be the match winners for them. 

CSK is not one among the teams to play musical chair with playing 11. But in the upcoming seasons, that has to change a little bit before settling in the correct combination. In the place of du Plessis, CSK tries to fit Devon Conway, but the finishing woes will be worrisome without Dhoni, if he retires. Already it was a little bit shaky as Dhoni was out of his truly terrific colour. So, If Dhoni is subtracted from that, it may lead to an even more lack of stability. All these holes have to be plugged in by the CSK. For sure, it will be filled with challenges, but CSK is not new to it.

Ponting with his brainstorming ideas in the Delhi team had already proved that it is not necessary to be playing in the ground, to bring success to the team. Dhoni will exactly do the same for CSK. The captain cool, who rode the chariot of CSK, maybe relieving himself from it. But his role in CSK will continue as a coach. Dronacharya’s side of Dhoni will be revealed in CSK in the upcoming years. Whatever he has been doing in the field currently will continue off the field. It may not be a surprise If the CSK franchise will go for a partnership deal with Dhoni. 

CSK fans don’t have to bother that this may be the last season for them to see him on CSK’s side. He may just pass on the torch to others but for sure he will shoulder the responsibility of carrying the legacy of CSK. 

Dhoni is CSK and CSK is Dhoni, they are inseparable.