IPL 2021: I Don’t Want Anyone To Think Am Unfit, States MS Dhoni

Captain of Chennai Super Kings’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that it is hard to keep up with the youngsters nowadays, it will be a big positive side if a 39-year-old plays his game and shows his fitness where it doesn’t give anyone a chance to point the fingers at.

The 39-year-old MS Dhoni retired from international cricket last year, where he admitted that being fit, “getting old are two different and difficult things.” “When you are playing, you don’t really want anyone to say he is unfit. I have to keep up with the youngster. They are very fast; it’s very good to challenge them.”

“Performances are something that is guaranteed, I wasn’t guaranteeing performance when I was 24 year and am not going to guarantee when am 40 years, people cant point fingers at me saying that am unfit, then that will be a big positive point for me.”

Talking about the match Dhoni was glad for his CSK lads who scored 180-plus runs, though he thought they could get more, “I felt Sam bowled very well. There was a bit of underestimating the knuckle delivery, so a good start was very important, even the wet ball was spinning. “I don’t mind Jos playing a reverse sweep, if the wet ball was spinning then the chances of the dry ball even spinning is possible.

Dhoni said it was really good having Moeen Ali, who took three wickets in three overs giving seven runs only, as the ball was turning and becoming more sticky. Dhoni said that the first six balls he played could have cost us the game.

He said a lot has changed since the previous year when they finished seventh out of eight teams. “ The way we have prepared, with the bowlers who have been under pressure last year also, so they are used to these conditions.”

Sanju Samson the losing captain thought It was a good score to track down but his lads lost too many wickets in the middle order in quick secession, “ Our bowlers bowled very well, our lads batted too deep. We even gave 10-15 extra runs during our spell. Although we lost the match there are a lot of positive vibes, there was no dew but yet the balls were turning, which was really shocking to see. 

“Its really important to maintain composure, this format challenges us to score at a bigger risk rate, so it's normal to get out often. So I should keep working hard on the basics and need to give myself more time on the field.