IPL 2022: M S Dhoni icon, a legend. An incredible legacy for Chennai Super King
Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down from the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings on March 24, 2022. An icon and legend, nicknamed "Thala" by his adoring Chennai Super Kings fans.
Image credit: pia.images.co.uk Mahi for North and Thala for South Indian fansRavindra Jadeja will be taking his place as the captain of Chennai Super Kings just ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
Many people were surprised by the former Indian captain’s decision. Chennai Super Kings are set to play against Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the 2022 Indian Premier League in Mumbai on March 26, 2022.Dhoni has been a part of Chennai Super Kings since its inception in 2008. The franchise has surfaced as one of the most consistent performers in the Indian Premier League. Under Dhoni’s leadership, Chennai Super Kings have won the Indian Premier League title four times in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021.
As of March 26, 2022, Dhoni has played 220 IPL matches, scoring 4746 runs with an average of 39.5 and a strike rate of 135.8, making him the top run-scorer for Chennai Super Kings. He also has the fourth-highest number of sixes, with 229 sixes scored in his IPL career until now.
Under Dhoni’s leadership, the Chennai Super Kings won 121 of the 204 matches they played. He had a win rate of 59.60%, second only to Rohit Sharma.
The right-arm wicket-keeper leads by example, frequently playing on the front and entertaining the spectators with his power-packed performances. Here’s how MS Dhoni has performed in editions of the IPL that Chennai Super Kings won
2010
Dhoni had previously led Chennai Super Kings to the final in 2008 and semi-finals in 2009 but failed to win the title. However, Chennai Super Kings managed to defeat Mumbai Indians in an intense final held on April 25, 2010, to lift the IPL trophy for the first time.
Under Dhoni’s brilliant leadership, Chennai Super Kings used several unexpected strategies, such as providing Shabad Jakati with the opportunity to bowl to use Sachin Tendulkar’s weakness of left-arm spin and setting up long outfielders. He scored 287 runs including two half-centuries during the tournament.
2011
Chennai Super Kings won their second consecutive IPL title in the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the 2011 Indian Premier League, the CSK captain scored 392 runs at a strike rate of 158 during the tournament. His biggest score came against Royal Challenger Banglore in a league stage match when he scored 70 runs off 40 balls as the lone fighter for Chennai with all other players except Wriddhiman Saha failed to cross a score of 20.
2018
In the 2018 Indian Premier League, Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings with his usual calm demeanor and seemingly uncluttered mind to help the team lift the title for the third time. Dhoni had one of the best seasons of his IPL career in 2018, scoring 455 runs with a strike of 150, including three half-centuries.
2021
After an unimpressive performance in 2020, Chennai Super Kings came back with renewed vigor under Dhoni’s leadership. CSK won against Kolkata Knight Riders in the final to win the IPL title for the fourth time.
With Dhoni passing on the baton to Jadeja, it will be interesting to see how Chennai Super Kings will perform in 2022 as Jadeja does not have any previous leadership experience at the top level and has big boots to fill.