‘I can be an annoying captain because…,’ MS Dhoni after CSK reaches IPL final

After the win against Gujarat Giants by 15 runs, MS Dhoni said he can be an “annoying” skipper as he too often keeps changing his bowlers and fielders according to the match situation. “You see the wicket, you see conditions, and you keep adjusting the field. I can be an annoying captain because I change the field every time.”

“It can be annoying but I believe in my gut feel. That’s why I keep telling the fielders to keep an eye on me.”

On the number of fast bowlers coming out of CSK stable, Dhoni said: “We try to create an environment and work out what is the strength of a fast bowler. We try to give them confidence and tell them ‘please try to explore your bowling’.

“We try to motivate them as much as possible. Support staff is there, Bravo and Eric are there.”

His statement came after CSK tamed a tenacious Gujarat Giants by 15 runs on a sticky surface to enter their 10th IPL final on Tuesday and extend their remarkable consistency in the tournament. CSK did well to reach 172 for 7 on a slow pitch in Qualifier 1 after Hardik Pandya opted to bowl. However, the defending champions will get another shot to make a second successive final in Qualifier 2 on Friday. CSK’s master tactician M S Dhoni made the best use of home advantage to take the four time champions to a 10th final in 14 editions. CSK did not take part in 2016 and 2017 editions.

During the post-match presentation, Dhoni also spoke about his retirement plants. He said that he will take a call on his retirement in another 8 to 9 months as there is no rush to decide on the future.

There have been speculations that 2023 could be a swansong season for Dhoni.

“I don’t know, I have 8-9 months to decide. Why take that headache now. I have ample time to decide. The auction is in December,” Dhoni said. “I will always come to CSK. I have been out of home from January, been practicing since March, so we will see.”

The four-time champions, who had finished at the ninth spot in 2022, dished out a commanding performance to outclass Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 to make it to the summit clash yet again.

“I think IPL is too big to say it is another final. It is 10 teams it is even tougher, it is hard work of more than 2 months, lots of characters, everybody has contributed, middle order didn’t get ample opportunity but very happy to be where we are.”

(With inputs from PTI)