Over the years, the alliance between MS Dhoni and N Srinivasan has worked well for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise and the Indian team at one point of time.
Former BCCI President and ICC Chairman Srinivasan is the Managing Director of India Cements, the franchise owners of CSK.
Now, Srinivasan has opened up about an instance when CSK’s talismanic leader refused an ‘outstanding player’ from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), claiming it would ruin the cohesion within the team.
“There was one outstanding player that we suggested to MS, he said: ‘no sir, he will spoil the team’. The cohesion within the team is important and see in America, franchise-based sport has been there for such a long time,” Srinivasan told in a webinar, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Also, Srini revealed how MSD backed his hunch and observations on the field, rather than delving into a sea of data.
Further, Srinivasan spilt beans on how Dhoni used to leave the strategy sessions mid-way, while coach Stephen Fleming and the rest attended meticulously.
“We’re awash with data just now. To give you an example, there are bowling coaches and in a T20 game, they play videos of every batsman whom they’re going to come against and they see how he got out, what’s his strength, what’s his weakness etc. So, MS Dhoni doesn’t attend this, he’s a pure instinct man. The bowling coach, (head coach Stephen) Fleming will be there and everybody will be there, everyone is giving opinions, (but) he’ll get up and go,” added the MD of India Cements.
With Dhoni as captain, the Srinivasan owned franchise clinched as many as three IPL titles, during the 2010, 2011, and 2018 editions.
“In the context of instinct, he feels that okay he can assess a batsman or player on the field, that’s his judgment. On the other hand, there is so much data that is available to help a person also analyse. It’s a very difficult line to draw (between data and instinct),” Srinivasan concluded.
