As such, Former Australian batsman Matthew Hayden believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni is the most valuable player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While an aging Dhoni may be struggling to score runs, Hayden believes that as captain. Therefore, he is still an important member of the squad.
“Most valuable player, even though he hasn’t had the best of tournaments so far, is still MS Dhoni. As a leader of the side, he is absolutely rising to the challenge. He is older obviously but he has got the reigns and he is cracking them hard and his side is responding,” Hayden said
Last year, CSK missed the playoffs for the first time in their history. This season, though, they have turned things around, scoring 16 points in ten games. There are on the verge of making the playoffs. Meanwhile, Dhoni scored only 200 runs in the IPL last season. His lowest total in a single season, and has only 52 runs in ten matches this season.
However, Hayden said that it is Dhoni who is driving his team forward as the captain.
“Guys like DJ Bravo, for example, that are making their impact. On this tournament albeit in a way that’s small but each component of the team is playing in unison,” said Hayden.
SunRisers Hyderabad
CSK will play SunRisers Hyderabad. They are tied for second place with the Delhi Capitals on points, but they have a better net run rate and a game in hand.
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