Anirudha Srikkanth Lauds MS Dhoni's Mastery as Spinners' Captain

Former Chennai Super Kings player Anirudha Srikkanth praises MS Dhoni's captaining skills, highlighting his effective communication with spinners. Srikkanth recalls Dhoni's brief, clear instructions that maximize players' abilities. CSK retains Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025, aiming for a sixth title in upcoming mega auction.

Former Tamil Nadu and Chennai Super Kings player Anirudha Srikkanth has praised franchise icon MS Dhoni for his exceptional leadership skills, particularly as a 'spinners' captain'.

Srikkanth, who witnessed Dhoni's captaincy up close during his tenure with the five-time champions, highlighted Dhoni's strategy of keeping communication succinct.

He noted that Dhoni's team meetings were brief, lasting just a few minutes, and that the former captain often issued clear and precise instructions, especially to bowlers. Srikkanth underscored how Dhoni excelled in getting the best out of spinners by clarifying their roles.

In a discussion on Sony Sports Network's Tamil Cricket Podcast - Cricket Petta, Srikkanth remarked, "MS Dhoni doesn't talk too much to the batters. He does not confuse them." He added that Dhoni would tell his players, especially spinners, exactly what their roles were and encourage them to perform to the best of their abilities.

Dhoni stepped down from CSK's captaincy after leading the team to its fifth IPL title in 2023, with Ruturaj Gaikwad succeeding him. However, Gaikwad's debut season saw CSK failing to qualify for the playoffs.

Preceding the IPL 2025 mega auction, the 43-year-old former India captain was retained as an uncapped player following a new rule allowing franchises to keep players in the uncapped category if they have not played international cricket for five years.

CSK also retained players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube as they aim for their sixth title. The highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled to be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, where all ten franchises will seek to build formidable squads for the upcoming season. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)