Having led the “now-defunct” Chennai Super Kings for eight seasons, Team India skipper MS Dhoni on Monday showed rare emotional side of his when asked about leading a new IPl franchise.
“I would be lying if I say I have moved on. That is the special part of being a human being. There is got to be an emotional connect after eight years (with CSK),” said Dhoni, popularly known as Mr Cool among the cricket fraternity and his fans alike, at the jersey launch of his Rising Pune Supergiants team here in the Capital.
Usually calm and composed on the field, Dhoni got emotional when asked about the team he led since the beginning of the cash-rich league. Dhoni had been a part of CSK since the launch of the IPl in 2008, leading the team to consecutive title triumphs in 2010 and 2011. But with CSK and inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals suspended from the tournament for the next two years due to match fixing and corruption charges, the India team captain was picked up by the Pune franchise for the next two seasons till 2019.
“If you want me to be politically correct, that is not how I am. After eight years of IPl, it feels very different to play for any other team. All of a sudden if you want me to say that I am very excited to play for a new team, don’t give credit to CSK and the fans for the love and affection they have given us, it will be wrong.
“But as a professional, I would like to thank the Pune team for taking me. Of course there will be added responsibility as captain but as a professional we are supposed to do the job with more than 100 hundred percent commitment. And that is what we will try to do,” said Dhoni.
Dhoni said he will miss playing alongside the likes of Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Brendon McCullum before exuding confidence in the players picked for the new team.
“There are a lot of players we will miss. We were together for eight years; our core group was the same. We were so consistent and our strength was that we played as a team. We have taken some former CSK players but then at the auction, the two new teams were expected to do most of the buying. If you look at the six other franchisees, they have a settled lot. Therefore, the pressure will be on the new franchise,” he felt.
On playing against longtime India and CSK teammate Raina, who will captain the other new team Gujarat lions, Dhoni said: “We all know how destructive Raina is. At the same time, he will just not be playing with me and us, he will be playing against the other teams too. He will be trying is best to do well. We have to make sure that we do the job that is expected from us.”
Fate has also worked its magic in reuniting Mahendra Singh Dhoni and CSK’s coach Stephen Fleming. Dhoni is happy and overjoyed that Stephen is on board with the team.
“The life becomes slightly easy with him around. We know each other for long time. He is a fantastic coach. His man management skills are very good. What I really like is that he is calm like me. It is good to have him and hopefully it will work for us.”
Dhoni however, pointed out that the newly formed franchises Pune and Gujarat lions will find it difficult to find their feet in their first year in the IPl as the other teams already have settled squads.
“We have a good team on paper, but we will have to play to our potential. The likes of Sourabh Tiwary and Albie Morkel could be crucial in crunch situations. The IPl will be exciting this year,” he said.
“But the six original teams already have settled squads. The two new teams will have to find their balance and settle down quickly. If you are working with a core group of player’s right from the start, it is easier to know your weaknesses and how to adjust to a particular situation. But in a new team, you have to start all over again,” Dhoni added.
The Indian skipper stayed mum and ducked questions when asked about sweeping changes Supreme Court appointed lodha Commission has recommended on the functioning of the BCCI.
“lodha Commission has not given me the report. So you have to ask the BCCI (about what they plan to do,” said Dhoni.
Dhoni defended the cash-rich league despite so many controversies attached to the cash rich league.
“Yes, it (IPl) has got its share of bad name but you have to look at the positives as well. It is a platform where you can identify the players on the domestic circuit, gauge their performance throughout the season. It is also about how the young players handle pressure, you see youngsters embracing it. I think that is fantastic for Indian cricket.
“Yes, money is a big factor. People talk about cricketers getting a lot of money. Yes, a lot of cricketers are getting a lot of money but at the same time, thousands and thousands of them are not.”
This year’s IPl auction threw up several surprises as quite a few young Indian players commanded higher prices than experienced international stars. Rookie all-rounder Pawan Negi was the second most expensive player as he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for `8.5 crore.
However Dhoni insisted that the franchises were justified in their decision to shell out big money for relatively unknown players.
“It all depends on the combination that you are looking for in your team. You look for a player who may be a bit expensive, but will provide that crucial balance to the team. When we brought in (Ravindra) Jadeja, we got a player who added stability to the team with his all-round ability,” the 34-year-old said.
Dhoni also backed big-hitting Kevin Pietersen for the upcoming IPl, saying he does not expect any disciplinary issues from the former England captain. Pietersen was bought by the franchise for $514,500.
“Again, you know people are often judged by what comes in the media, but when you actually meet them they are totally different. I don’t think there will be any issue with discipline. KP is a fantastic player, someone who is very aggressive and at the same time very expressive on the field. It is good to have him in the side,” he signed off.