Aakash Chopra has commended MS Dhoni for enabling players to thrive when playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In their match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru on Monday, April 17, CSK set a target of 227 runs, and the bowlers limited the host to 218/8, winning the game by eight runs and moving to the third spot in the points table. While assessing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted the effect of Dhoni in getting greatness out of players while playing for CSK, saying:
“Ajinkya Rahane likes Bangalore and batted very well till the time he was there. Shivam Dube also batted very well. He was earlier a part of RCB, and then the Rajasthan Royals as well, but what do you see with Dhoni – all other teams find players, MS Dhoni doesn’t find but makes players.”
“It is heartwarming to see the players performing under him. Shivam Dube’s story is the same, and we are seeing a different Ajinkya Rahane in the two or three matches he has played. He hit a pulled six – what a shot.” He further added.
Dube smashed an extraordinary 27-ball 52 against RCB, displaying immense power with two fours and five sixes. Rahane also performed remarkably, scoring 37 runs off 20 balls as he and Conway put together a 74-run partnership for the second wicket in only seven overs following Gaikwad’s unfortunate dismissal.
“He is a good player; there is no doubt about that”: Chopra on Devon Conway
Aakash Chopra also praised Conway for playing a remarkable knock at the top of the order, saying:
Devon Conway was outstanding. He batted in a very good fashion. He is a good player; there is no doubt about that. All left-handers are in slight danger against Mohammed Siraj, but Devon Conway did not have any issues. He played with a lot of freedom.”
The former cricketer-turned-commentator raised questions about Faf du Plessis’ captaincy during the CSK innings, saying:
“The captaincy surprised you a little. I was thinking that everything else was fine, but Hasaranga bowled just two overs. He even picked up a wicket. He bowled Vijaykumar Vyshak, and he got hit for a lot of runs. In my opinion, not bowling Wanindu Hasaranga was a bad miss.”