IPL 2024: Hussey on MS Dhoni’s impact in dressing room- ‘You feel like you're backed, trusted and loved’

Chennai Super Kings captain and veteran MS Dhoni is a gigantic figure in the dressing room, and for what he brings to the table, he is regarded as one of cricket’s greatest. CSK’s batting coach, Michael Hussey, caught up with Ravi Ashwin on #KuttiStorieswithAsh and shared insights on what makes Dhoni the legend, also emphasising how, every season, MS brings the best out of his players.

Hussey and Dhoni have shared the dressing room since 2008, having won several IPL trophies together in the yellow jersey.Dhoni’s best trait, which, per Hussey, keeps him ahead of everyone, is his ability to spot good players for a particular position and back them.

With this, Dhoni instils trust in those players, be it the youngsters or even top names from other countries, creating a winning environment in the dressing room.

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"I think he's got a great feel for what it takes to create a winning environment and put a team together that will, in the long term, have success," Hussey said while chatting with Ravi Ashwin.

"Again, there's that trust in the players...We've hardly changed the team over the years. There's been that continuity. He looks for good players to play that particular role, but he also looks for good people. And once he has got those good people, he will really back them to the hilt,” the CSK batting coach added.

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Meanwhile, just before the start of this season, MS Dhoni stepped aside from the captaincy, handing the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Citing this very example, Hussey said that way he trusts the youngsters to get the job done, everyone feels backed and loved in that environment, leading to players feeling secure about their positions and thus delivering fearlessly.

"I think the other special thing about Dhoni is that he has got this amazing ability to take pressure off players, particularly young Indian players," Hussey continued. "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."

Chennai on top in IPL 2024

The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, have won three games thus far this season, all at home, with Shivam Dube and Mustafizur Rahman being their top performers.

CSK will next face Mumbai Indians on Sunday evening at the Wankhede before travelling to Lucknow for another away game against LSG at the Ekana Stadium on Friday (April 19).