NEW DELHI: The Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach, Michael Hussey, hopes that the charismatic player will keep at it for a few more years because Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still batting well.
A day before the start of the 2024 season, Dhoni stunned everyone by stepping down as captain. Ruturaj Gaikwad was handed the captaincy.
“We’re hoping he keeps going. He’s still batting so well. He does prepare very well – he comes into camp really early and hits so many balls. He’s been in good nick all season to be honest,” said Hussey on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show.
“I think we just have to try and manage him from a body perspective. So he had a knee operation after last year. So he’s been managing that since very early part of the tournament.
“I hope he keeps playing for another couple of years but we’ll just wait and see. He’s only person who will make that call though. And, you know he likes to build up dramas little bit too there as well, I wouldn’t expect any decision soon.”
This season, Dhoni has hardly faced a ball while batting as low down as eighth or even appearing at number eight for his side despite leading them to five IPL titles.
His load is being properly handled taking into account Dhoni’s recent knee surgery, according to Hussey.
“That [knee operation] is why we have had to manage him slightly and only bring him in at the back end though. But no one else has come in straight away from ball one hitting it quite like MS has done over all those years since then.” Said Hussey.This year,
As Gaikwad took over as captain, Australian said Dhoni wanted to stay through this transition period.
“MS sort of announced that he wasn’t going to come to the pre-tournament captains’ meeting. We’re like oh, no what’s going on? He said Ruturaj was going to be captain from that point onwards.
“So it was a little bit of shock at the start, but I think it’s been very well handled. And we sort of known for a little while now that he was the right person to take over when MS did decide to step aside.
“He wanted to still be here while the new captain took over, to try and help him along the way and sort of mentor him a little bit,” Hussey stated.Gaikwad
CSK have had an honourable showing under Gaikwad. The team currently lies third on the table and are in good position for qualifying for playoff position.
“He’s done a fantastic job. He’s been really composed and measured out on the field. He’ll get better with more experience doing this. And as long as we keep supporting him, it hasn’t affected his batting either which is great,” said Hussey praising Gaikwad enthusiastically.