Dhoni-led CSK have qualified for the playoffs of IPL 2021.
According to Shastri, Dhoni has achieved almost everything a skipper can achieve in the limited-overs format. Both had worked closely when Dhoni was captain of the Indian team and Shastri was the director of the team in 2014-2016. The duo will get together once more as Dhoni was named the mentor of the Indian team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021, which is likely to be Shastri’s final assignment as Team India coach.
“Dhoni is the greatest white-ball captain ever. Just look at his record in ICC tournaments. What has he not won? IPL, Champions League, all ICC tournaments, two World Cups. There is no one close to him when it comes to white-ball cricket. He has to be the greatest. The King Kong, you can call him in that fashion,” Shastri said to Fan Code.
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According to Shastri, Dhoni’s calmness and control as a leader separates him from the rest. The former India all-rounder said: “When you see Dhoni captaining a side, and you see Chennai Super Kings (CSK), there’s that assurance and calmness of things in control. The other side might me whacking sixes or fours but you still get the feeling there is this composure and control.”
Furthermore, Shastri said that Dhoni will be keen on Chennai not losing momentum, even if they make some changes for the game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday.
He said: “The ball is in CSK’s court, how they want to play. They have qualified, they are going to finish 1 or 2, there is no question about that. It’s how Dhoni sees it. Does he want to rest players or does he want to try one or two players for the game? The endeavor would be to win. They would start as favorites, but no one likes to lose momentum."
Following their win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), CSK became the first team to qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 playoffs.