According to Pragyan Ojha, a former Indian cricketer and current analyst, MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has played a crucial part in the recent success of the team. Ojha specifically mentioned Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane, two top-order batters, as beneficiaries of MS Dhoni’s mentorship.
Aside from being an explosive batter and a renowned captain, MS Dhoni has taken on the role of a mentor, according to Ojha. He believes that Dhoni is guiding the team’s young players and assisting seasoned veterans in revitalizing their careers.
In a media interaction, Pragyan Ojha shared his thoughts on MS Dhoni’s contributions to CSK and said
“I think he (Dhoni) adds a lot of value, not just as a captain or a player but also as a mentor. He has got a different role to play and as a captain, nobody would disagree on what he has done for the country and how he is taking care of the young boys and seniors. The best example is look at the way Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane have been performing. It’s phenomenal.”
Ojha on MS Dhoni’s Retirement Rumors
In addition, Pragyan Ojha expressed his belief that MS Dhoni has the authority to choose when he wants to retire from the game and said:
“It’s totally his call on what he needs to do and he deserves to have an absolute say on when he needs to retire. If he feels his body is fine then he can go and play for another year as well.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made his IPL debut in 2020, has played 41 matches and scored 1,407 runs at an average of 39.08. He has hit 12 fifties and a century during this period. On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane, who joined CSK for the first time in IPL 2023, has been in excellent form. He has scored 129 runs in three matches with a remarkable strike rate of 195.45.
Both Gaikwad and Rahane will be eager to continue their impressive form when the Chennai Super Kings take on the SunRisers Hyderabad on Friday, April 21.
Ojha: “Ajinkya Rahane is an all-format player”
Pragyan Ojha also praised Ajinkya Rahane for his outstanding performance in IPL 2023, which has been somewhat of a revival of his T20 career. Ojha believes that Rahane always had the necessary skills, and the key was to get into the right mindset. He said, “I feel he is an all-format player and one of the best India have produced across formats. I think the space that he was looking for, he got it in CSK and the skills were always there. He is not playing something different, just being in a good mental space and I think that has been the difference this year.”
Considering the exceptional form Ajinkya Rahane has displayed in the initial matches of IPL 2023, he is likely to remain a vital player for the Chennai Super Kings this season. The way he has played in the tournament thus far suggests that he can play a significant role in CSK’s success.