
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shed light on former captain MS Dhoni’s leadership style, emphasizing his focus on cricketing fundamentals and player development. Ashwin, who has played under Dhoni’s captaincy for both the Indian national team and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), shared insights into how Dhoni’s approach has been instrumental in maximizing players’ potential.
Ashwin noted that Dhoni’s adherence to basic cricketing principles sets him apart from other captains. He explained that Dhoni empowers bowlers to set their own fields and encourages them to bowl according to those plans. However, Dhoni maintains high expectations regarding execution. Ashwin recalled instances where, if a bowler delivered loose balls to new batsmen, Dhoni would express his displeasure and might even remove the bowler from the attack. This approach underscores Dhoni’s commitment to discipline and precision on the field.
A specific example highlighted by Ashwin is Dhoni’s mentorship of pacer Tushar Deshpande during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Under Dhoni’s guidance, Deshpande emerged as one of CSK’s leading wicket-takers, claiming 21 wickets in 16 matches. Ashwin attributed this success to Dhoni’s clear and straightforward instructions, which likely involved advising Deshpande to focus on bowling towards the longer side of the boundary and aiming to concede fewer runs than in previous seasons. Such targeted guidance not only alleviates pressure on the bowler but also sets achievable goals, fostering confidence and performance improvement.
Ashwin emphasized that Dhoni’s leadership is characterized by simplicity and clarity. By concentrating on fundamental aspects of the game and providing unambiguous directives, Dhoni creates an environment where players understand their roles and responsibilities. This method has been pivotal in CSK’s consistent success in the IPL, including their record-equalling fifth title in 2023.
In summary, Ashwin’s observations highlight MS Dhoni’s exceptional leadership qualities, particularly his ability to distill the game to its essentials and communicate effectively with his players. This approach not only enhances individual performances but also contributes significantly to the team’s overall success.