IPL 2018 | Chennai Super Kings have several match winners, asserts Laxmipathy Balaji
According to Laxmipathy Balaji, CSK has different characters in the team wh could stand up in critical moments, which is the hallmark of the side in all IPL editions. The CSK bowling coach also acknowledged the fact that MS Dhoni is a fantastic reader of the game and gets the best out of his men.
Chennai Super Kings have proved their mettle once again this year as they made it to their seventh final in nine IPL appearances while winning the trophy twice. When asked about what makes Chennai Super Kings the most consistent team in the IPL, Balaji stated that the team has several different characters in it to stand up in critical moments of the game.
“To start with, there have always been several match-winners in the side, with the bat and the ball. Now you have Dhoni, Raina, Bravo, Rayudu, Watson, Faf du Plessis, Harbhajan, Ngidi and any of them can win you the match. Previously, we had Hayden, Hussey, and Muralitharan. Along with team effort, you have individual brilliance,” elaborated Balaji in an exclusive interview with The Hindu.
The former India pacer also didn’t forget to mention the merits of having different leaders in the team giving the examples of du Plessis, Bravo, Watson alongside Dhoni himself.
“This has been CSK’s hallmark. Apart from skipper Dhoni, you have du Plessis, Bravo, and Watson, all of whom will offer their views, take responsibility and guide the younger bunch. Then you have someone like Hussey [batting coach], who is always willing to share his knowledge.”
Especially hailing Dhoni, the former CSK bowler noted that he is bringing a great sense of equality and leadership skills into the fore apart from his influential figure, which has largely helped CSK.
“Off the field, he allows his players to chill without losing focus. On the field, he is a fantastic reader of the game and gets the best out of his men. A lot has been said about how he is able to finish games with the bat and he is so calm. But what has always struck me about Dhoni is his ability to make you relax mentally,” observed Balaji.
Recalling his playing days with CSK, Balaji credited Dhoni the way he was handling him during the death overs, which can be a confidence booster to any bowler.
“Even when I bowled in the death overs, I don’t remember Dhoni speaking to me much. He would just indicate subtly what he wanted, never put pressure on the bowlers. And his field placements were exceptional and innovative. He is an instinctive captain.”
When asked to pick one quality that is the hallmark of CSK, Balaji replied that pulling victory from the jaws of defeat is a thing that stands out for the franchise amongst others.
“Resilience. It’s a tough side, doesn’t accept defeat till the last ball, wins from impossible situations. CSK was out of IPL for two years and look at the way it has come back,” he concluded.
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