MS Dhoni’s achievement as a cricketer is surreal, especially as a leader. He is the only skipper in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC trophies – 2007 World T20, 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

While Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, he continues to feature in the Indian Premier League for CSK. He captained the Chennai-based franchise to record-equaling fifth IPL title last year.

The 42-year-old is once again gearing up to lead CSK in the IPL this year. Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, former India batter Mohammad Kaif hailed Dhoni and his ability to bring the best out of his players.

Kaif discussed how players such as Tushar Deshpande and Ajinkya Rahane stepped up to the plate under Dhoni's leadership during the last year’s IPL.

"You can talk about Tushar Deshpande and the cameos of Ajinkya Rahane, especially in the final. I can say that these are players who have not got a great record in the IPL but when they go to Dhoni and Chennai, I wonder what happens to them, what special guidance they get that everyone starts playing well. Dhoni has this special medicine that makes the players fit, alert, and play well for the team," Kaif told Star Sports.

On the other hand, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the challenges that Dhoni may face in the upcoming IPL season.

"This time Deepak Chahar is just coming back from injury, Pathirana's performances for Sri Lanka haven't been great, form isn't too great, Conway has also gotten injured. Now if 3 or 4 of your main players have been injured or their form isn't good, then the team management's challenge gets tougher. So there is a challenge for Dhoni but since we know Dhoni is a mastermind, he will do something or the other and manage like he's done every year," Pathan said on Star Sports.

Chennai Super Kings will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2024 opener at Chepauk on March 22.