IPL 2018| Harbhajan Singh is really experienced when it comes to any format, remarks MS Dhoni

CSK’s plan to bank on experience heads have really counted this year as the team has landed in the most important game of IPL. One of the veterans of Indian cricket, Harbhajan Singh who has played 13 matches out of the total 15 played and picked up seven wickets, didn’t disappoint the franchise and took some crucial wickets at different junctures of the game. Despite not giving Harbhajan a single over to bowl in the last match, Dhoni clarified that it was a strategy looking at the conditions but Harbhajan Singh’s experience matters.

"In the past, we had Negi and Jadeja, and I gave them different slots of bowling. And the unreal thing is that a lot of times the player gets criticised at times for what the batsman is doing. I always check what is the condition and what is in the best interest of the team before deciding on the bowler as to who has the best chance to succeed over the bowler.

"Like in the last game, I didn't feel it was necessary for him (Harbhajan) to bowl. But for Bhajji, he is really experienced when it comes to any format of the game," observed MS Dhoni as reported by News18.

Coming back after serving a two-year suspension, the Chennai Super Kings have done exceeding well by reaching the final of the 2018 IPL. But captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has admitted that there were concerns about the age-group of his players. The Super Kings side mostly features experienced customers who are not so young. The likes of Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Dwayne Bravo and Faf du Plessis are all on the other side of 30.

Speaking on the eve of the IPL-11 final against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dhoni didn’t hesitate to mention it and spoke on various aspects of aging and how it has merits and demerits.

"The challenge this year was slightly different to what we faced in the past seven-eight years. The age-group of the boys was definitely a concern as we had to keep them fit because of the frequency of the games. You have to maneuver your resources and you have to look at the bigger picture. To make sure that when we come to the business end of the tournament our best XI is available. This year we did have some injury concerns. But it's good to have our players available for selection," said Dhoni.

“Experience is not everything. "Experience really counts, but it's not that it always matters. It is not something that can't be replaced. Excess of anything is bad. The good thing is we have managed with them very well, we have got quite a few good fielders in the side. We have done well so far, but it is something that can hurt us at any time."

Asked if it has been an emotional journey because they were coming back into the tournament after a two-year gap, Dhoni admitted that and stated it was during the commencement of the league.

"The emotional aspect was more at the start of the tournament. Once the tournament starts, you have to be more professional. I was saddened that we couldn't play our home matches in Chennai, but I was still happy that we played at least one match. Our fans waited a very long time for this moment."