IPL 2018: Chennai and CSK have been a big part of MS Dhoni’s career, says Fleming

Since the first edition of the Indian Premier League exactly ten years ago, the name ‘MS Dhoni’ has become synonymous with the yellow-colored jersey. Although a brief stint with the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiant was part of Dhoni’s IPL legacy, one cannot imagine the Indian wicket-keeper in a different outfit in the IPL. The World Cup winning captain had a massive fan-following before the ban imposed in the Chennai Super Kings and has continued to garner support from the people of Chennai.

CSK coach and Dhoni’s former teammate Stephen Fleming claimed that the Chennai-based franchise occupied a special place in Dhoni’s heart as far as his cricketing career was concerned.

"Everything is very familiar...right back to the first hotel where we formed our friendships and got a lot of success as a team. 10 years on there is a lot of history. Chennai and CSK have been a big part of Dhoni’s career," 

"And his determination now to recreate what was very special for us in the first eight years is high on his motivation. A great player to be involved with, we do have a good relationship born out of the time together, successes and experiences as well," Fleming said in an interview to PTI.

Fleming is highly optimistic ahead of the 2018 IPL season as the former Kiwi batsman revealed that the team’s aim is to rekindle the magic that turned the CSK franchise into one if the strongest teams in the tournament.

"We will try and recreate some of the success that CSK had in the first eight years. CSK has gone on to do great things and we value that.The return of Murali Vijay is a good example that we value experience," he pointed out. 

The former Kiwi opener was of the opinion that the spinners in each team will have a massive role to play in the upcoming tournament as he put faith in the young Indian bowlers in the side.

"There is a lot of all-round skills in the side and a lot of options, some great spinning options, pace options and a very good batting line-up.We have all three facets of the game covered. Spin is the key. If you look at our side we are very strong in spin bowling skill sets and we have also put a lot of faith in young Indian pace bowlers,"

"And we have also got Lungi Ngidi and Mark Wood for that bit of extra pace depending on the conditions," Fleming added.