Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has given on Tuesday (29 May) credit to MS Dhoni's amazing leadership for their third Indian Premier League (IPL) triumph in the tournament.
Recently, CSK clinched the IPL 2018 trophy after thrashing mighty Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of the mega T20 event last week and Fleming believes that has only been possible only because of Dhoni’s tactful captaincy and his strong influence and impact on players.
As per reports in Press Trust of India, Fleming said at a press conference in Chennai, “It was Dhoni impact. It is very important. Dhoni does have a very strong influence and impact on players. MS's (Dhoni) belief and confidence in a strong role for a player works for us. He has a strong ability to bring the best out of players. (Ambati) Rayudu is a great example, being in and out of the team.”
New Zealand great further noted about vintage Dhoni, “It is a great dynamic. It is about using the strength of a remarkable captain, with a strong franchise, with a good game plan.”
Praising Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, Fleming said, “We loved what Shane Watson has done in the past and our discussion was around his future. And we had seen during the Big Bash that his form had returned. We wanted to use him in a different way... Opening the batting and bowling a few overs.”
The CSK coach further added, “We always like players who are multi-talented. And also, Shane has been to Chennai several times playing for Rajasthan. He is an incredible professional. He realized he has got some limitations. He looked after himself and MS looked after him well. In the end, we didn't need his bowling... there is no great illustration of his ability than yesterday.”
Meanwhile, the Kiwi further said that the CSK’s base shifting to Pune due to the Cauvery issue was the toughest thing for Dhoni and his players. He further added, “Most of the plans were to build a team according to Chennai's conditions but those things weren't in our control. Moving out of Chennai was a difficult decision. We knew the conditions of Pune. We had to change the way we had to play the game. The experience enabled us to do that. It was a big change but we had to get on with it.”
He also credited individual display from the players throughout the IPL 2018 for CSK success in the recently concluded T20 event. Fleming signed off by saying, “It wasn't one or two players dominating. It was a squad effort. We went back to players who are loyal. We stick together through thick and thin.”
