Xtra Time Web Desk: Does MS Dhoni seriously possess a midas touch? The question will obviously arise as Chennai Super Kings, who seemed to be struggling under Ravindra Jadeja looked a completely different outfit under MS Dhoni in Sunday night’s IPL 2022 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The first thing that the talisman did after taking over as captain was to get New Zealander Devon Conway back in the side as an opener. Together with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Conway put on a record 182 runs opening partnerships which is the all time highest first wicket stand for CSK. Ruturaj missed his hundred by just one run while Conway remained unbeaten on 85 as Chennai posted a daunting 202/2.
There has been a speculation for a long time that MS Dhoni is perhaps playing his last season in IPL. The 40-year-old wicket keeper batter from Jharkhand did drop a hint during his pre match interaction with former Kiwi cricketer turned commentator Danny Morrision at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune.
“You will definitely see me in the yellow jersey [next year], whether this yellow jersey or some other yellow jersey, that’s a different thing,” said Dhoni after losing the toss.
Dhoni was leading CSK for the first time in the ongoing IPL 2022 after having passed on the captaincy baton to Ravindra Jadeja at the start of the season. However, a poor run of form both for the team and the captain influenced the all-rounder to relinquish the role and hand it back to the veteran wicketkeeper.
Dhoni though will have his task cut out, to get the best out of an underperforming team, and take them on a winning spree of six matches. If CSK win all of their remaining games, they can reach a total of 16 points, which should be enough to see them through to the playoffs.
With MS Dhoni, nothing is impossible on a cricket field.