Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar reacted to MS Dhoni quitting Chennai Super Kings captaincy and feels MS Dhoni was mentally tired to lead any team.
MS Dhoni who led Chennai Super Kings since 2008 bagged four trophies in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021. Ahead of IPL 2022, MS Dhoni made a shocking announcement of quitting CSK’s captaincy where the franchise hands over the role to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Shoaib Akhtar reacted to Dhoni quitting CSK captaincy
“Two days before IPL…really did not understand that, to be very honest. He is still the best player in the IPL. I think he must have been mentally tired. He must have thought of handing someone else the responsibility and playing freely,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
“Jadeja is obviously a very fine cricketer and he will try to the best of his ability to lead the team forward. But Dhoni is one of the minds in cricket that you can always count on,” Akhtar added.
“He is still the best player in the IPL. I think he must have been mentally tired. He must have thought of handing someone else the responsibility and playing freely,” he said.
In Jadeja’s first match as captain, CSK slumped to a 6-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2022 season opener on Saturday.
Put in to bat at the Wankhede, CSK were reduced to 61/5 in 10.5 overs, with Umesh Yadav picking up two wickets. However, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja put on an unbeaten 70-run partnership to rescue CSK and take them to a score of 131/5.
Dhoni scored a fine half-century, providing a late surge with seven boundaries and a six. Jadeja finished on 26. However, the total was still too low to trouble KKR and led by Ajinkya Rahane’s 34-ball 44, they chased the target down with six wickets and nine deliveries to spare.
CSK will face Lucknow Super Giants on March 31, 2022 in Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai to play their second league match.
