MSD Reveals 'Recipe For Success' After Qualifying For Playoffs
On Saturday, with a 77-run win against Delhi Capitals, CSK made the IPL playoffs for the 12th time.
Crickate
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the most successful team in IPL history for a cause. Saturday, with a 77-run victory over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, CSK qualified for the IPL quarterfinals for the twelfth time. Mumbai Indians, five-time IPL champions, stand next to the table, as no other team has reached the finals more than nine times.
CSK has missed the elimination stage only twice in 14 IPL appearances, in 2020 and 2022, when they finished in the second-to-last position in the standings. Former members of the team have frequently cited the team's culture as one of the primary reasons for CSK's success, but after the win against DC, captain MS Dhoni made an insightful'recipe for success' revelation.
CSK reached the semifinals in every season between 2008 and 2015, the year before they were suspended for corruption, winning twice (2010 and 2011) and finishing second four times (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015). After returning in 2018, their winning sequence ended in 2020 when they finished seventh out of eight teams, followed by another forgettable season in 2022. However, they also won the championship in 2018 and 2021, and they placed second in 2019.
When asked by former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar in the post-match presentation about the secret to CSK's success, Dhoni provided a behind-the-scenes explanation of how players are identified and groomed in the side, a process that begins from the moment they begin planning for the auction.
"There is no secret formula for success; you simply select the best players and give them the best performing slot." And train them in the areas where they are weak, somebody must give up their position for the team. The management also deserves credit; they have always supported us. "However, the players are most important; without them, we cannot accomplish anything," he stated.
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Dhoni also emphasized selecting players who prioritize the team over their individual accomplishments.
"I believe we must identify and select athletes who put the team ahead of individual performance and who perform best in knockout rounds. It is difficult to assess from the outside, but we do our best to adapt to the players and the environment. Even if they only contribute 10%, we can modify 50% of the roster to accommodate them," he added.
