It has been nearly four years since Mahendra Singh Dhoni quit international cricket, but the 41-year old continues to deliver the goods for Chennai Super Kings after reinventing himself as a lower-order enforcer with the bat this season.
Dhoni retired from the international duties in 2019 as India's most successful captain, having led the team to the Twenty20 World Cup title in 2007 and the 50-over crown four years later.
He masterminded Chennai's four successful campaigns in the Indian Premier League and remains immensely popular in Chennai, where people affectionately call him "Thala", which means "leader" in Tamil.
Shanto hit a brilliant 93-ball 117 – his maiden ODI hundred – as the Tigers reached their 320-run target with 3 deliveries to spare@BCBtigers @cricketireland https://t.co/hefpKu9j55
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 13, 2023
Widely regarded as a master tactician, Dhoni is also known for his swashbuckling batting - best illustrated by his unbeaten 183 against Pakistan in a 2005 one-day international in Jaipur.
Although he cannot reprise those knocks of his prime, Dhoni is producing useful cameos, usually at No 8, to help Chennai close in on a playoff berth this season.
Against Delhi Capitals Wednesday, Dhoni's nine-ball 20 helped Chennai post 167/8, setting up their 27-run victory in the low-scoring contest.
SKY hit a 49-ball 103, with six sixes and 11 fours, to push his team Mumbai to 218-5 and outshone an inspired all-round performance by Afghanistan and Gujarat maverick spinner Rashid Khan@surya_14kumar @mipaltan @gujarat_titans @IPL @rashidkhan_19 https://t.co/5k7y2lmsJx
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 13, 2023
Dhoni's average of 48 is second among the Chennai batters and his 204-plus strike rate is higher than that of any of his teammates.
"I have told them, 'This is what I am supposed to do, don't make me run a lot' and it has been working," Dhoni quipped after the win against Delhi.
"This is what I need to do, happy to contribute with whatever deliveries I'm getting."
Coach Stephen Fleming said Dhoni had tailored a customized training to prepare for the role.
The Women's Big Bash will remain unchanged from its 59-game season@BIGBASHLEAGUE9 @CricketAus @AusWomenCricket @ACA_Players https://t.co/CSmGBYsT4C
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 13, 2023
"He's really concentrated on those last three overs," Fleming said.
"He's concentrated on really strong hitting practice and you can see the benefit of that."
A measure of his popularity is that teammate Ravindra Jadeja is apprehensive of batting ahead of his captain and incurring the wrath of their fans.
@darensammy88, the only man to lead his side to two @T20WorldCup titles, was Friday appointed the new head coach of the @windiescricket white-ball teams, the national federation announced.https://t.co/jLwpzXqsmB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 12, 2023
"Even when I'm batting (at No 7), I can hear them chant his name," the all-rounder said after the match against Delhi.
"If I bat higher, they'd pray for my dismissal (so they can watch Dhoni bat)."
