MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, is renowned for his exceptional leadership skills and ability to nurture young talent. In a recent episode of Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, former Australian batsman Michael Hussey, who has a close association with CSK and Dhoni, shared his insights on Dhoni’s remarkable ability to create champion players and successful teams.
Hussey emphasized Dhoni’s keen understanding of what it takes to foster a winning environment and assemble a team that can achieve long-term success. He highlighted Dhoni’s unwavering trust in his players, which has been a key factor in CSK’s consistent performance over the years.
“He looks for good players to play that particular role, but he also looks for good people,” Hussey said. “And once he has got those good people, he will really back them to the hilt.”
Hussey cited the example of Shane Watson, who struggled for form during a season with Australia but was given unwavering support by Dhoni. Watson eventually repaid Dhoni’s faith by delivering crucial performances in the playoffs.
“Dhoni just said ‘no, we are sticking with him, he will come good’,” Hussey recalled. “And sure enough, he came good when we made the playoffs.”
Hussey also praised Dhoni’s ability to alleviate pressure from players, particularly young Indian players. He attributed this to Dhoni’s unique perspective on the game and his exceptional interpersonal skills.
“He’s got an amazing ability to take pressure off players, particularly young Indian players,” Hussey said. “He’s got an amazing perspective on the game; the way he treats people and players is very special. You feel like you’re backed, you’re trusted and you’re loved very much.”
Despite handing over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Dhoni remains a guiding force for the team. His presence and experience continue to inspire the players and contribute to CSK’s success.
