Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a forgettable IPL 2020 campaign in UAE. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the Chennai-based franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the tournament history.
In 13 games this season, CSK have suffered 8 defeats so far and they have one remaining fixture against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on November 1.
Considering that CSK’s key players such as Dhoni (39), Shane Watson (39), Dwayne Bravo (37), Faf du Plessis (3), Kedar Jadhav (35) and Ambati Rayudu (35) are in the wrong side of 30s, there is a constant talk about the reshuffle of the squad.
However, former India pacer Ashish Nehra reckons a big makeover is not on the cards because of MS Dhoni, who is mentally very strong.
See Also: "This team may have run out of juice", says Fleming with CSK on the verge of elimination
Nehra, who himself played professional cricket till the age of 39, believes the age bracket of 30-35 is not something which should matter.
"MS Dhoni knows how to take it in his stride. We are talking about a guy who is mentally strong. I don't think it's that big a deal for him. Every time, you don't qualify it hurts. But I hope we see MS Dhoni again and see the same old CSK.
"I don't think so (big reshuffle happening next year). 30-35 is not old. Somebody like me, I played IPL until I was 39. And if with my body, as a fast bowler, I can play at the age of 39, they can play for longer. Maybe Shane Watson... we still hope that he is there next year. But apart from that, I don't think they will look to shuffle it too much.
"We have seen in the IPL, people talk about CSK (players) being 30-35 and in the wrong side of 35. But we have seen what they are capable of doing. It's just one season and I hope we see the old CSK again next season,” Nehra said while talking to Star Sports.
Nonetheless, the CSK management would be looking to get the team combination right ahead of the IPL 2021, which is just six months away. Earlier this season, coach Stephen Fleming had admitted that the team has “run out of juice”.
