CSK atmosphere gives players best chance to succeed: Uthappa. Before the IPL 2024, former cricketers Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa, and Eoin Morgan spoke on JioCinema about CSK captain MS Dhoni’s influence on players and the environment that fosters success.
Anil Kumble on MS Dhoni’s influence on his teammates: It’s a very different feeling to walk into a team that has won a championship and has done it before. That is what you can expect when you walk into the Chennai dressing room under MS Dhoni. That, to me, is the difference between Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane. We were always aware of the player’s quality, but Ajinkya noticed a shift in mindset at CSK. Yes, there was role clarity, but he felt free to smash everything.
Let us not forget that Ajinkya was at a point in his career where he needed to make a statement. CSK has always chosen experienced players because they know what you can expect from them.
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Robin Uthappa discusses the culture that helps players excel at CSK
It’s the compounding effect. The way the players are treated makes them feel safe, and everyone performs. Guys like Suresh Raina have consistently created magic. Then there are players like Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, and Faf du Plessis who have excelled there. There was Murali Vijay, who came out and performed to his full potential; we all knew he could play that level. Ashwin, as well. You see players like this rise through the ranks and think, “Oh, there’s something about this team that brings success.”
Every youngster who joins this team is curious. CSK creates an environment that gives the athlete the best chance of success. So it’s a compounding effect over time.
Eoin Morgan on whether overseas players enjoy being led by Dhoni at CSK: They love it, to be honest. They discuss the same characteristics. When you talk about brilliant leadership, you always ask, ‘Will the team follow him?’ When it’s MS Dhoni, you never doubt it. He leaves an indelible impression on each player. He instills confidence in them that they can go out and play with the pride that comes with being a CSK player, and he assures them that everyone is rooting for them.
Ben Stokes, who has an incredible amount of self-belief, enjoyed playing for MS Dhoni. He did it in Pune for a few years and clearly shared the dressing room with him last year. “They absolutely love wearing that yellow shirt.”
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