CSK boss declares: MS Dhoni will be captain in IPL 2021

MS Dhoni has been leading Chennai Super Kings since 2008 and is the longest-serving captain of the side. The team has won three titles under his leadership. 2020 was the first instance when the side failed to qualify for the playoffs, as they are under threat to finish at the bottom.

Former three-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are enduring a tough time this season. It is the first instance that the side has failed to qualify for the playoffs and that too, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, who has been leading the side ever since its inception in 2008.

But, following the howler this season, the question on everyone's mind is whether Dhoni would continue to lead the side, come next season. Meanwhile, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has declared that he certainly feels so.

“Yes, definitely. I am very confident that Dhoni will lead CSK in 2021. He has won three titles for us in the IPL. This is the first year we have not qualified for the playoffs. No other team has done that. One bad year does not mean we will have to change everything,” Viswanathan was quoted as saying to Times of India.

“We didn’t play to our potential this season. We lost games that we should have won. That pushed us back. The withdrawals of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, coupled with Covid cases in the camp, meant that the balance of the side was upset,” he added.

Dhoni not only has failed this season to lead the side properly, but he has also been below par with his batting. In 11 innings, he has managed to score just 199 runs at an average of 28.42 and has a strike-rate of just 118.45.

Although he did display his hard-hitting abilities during the initial phase this season, he has faded away as the tournament has progressed. While his wicketkeeping skills have been impressive so far, it alone has not been enough for the side to qualify for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the CSK management is sure to take some tough calls ahead of the next season. “See, as Fleming has said, a lot of chinks in the armour has been exposed this time. Some tough calls surely will be taken. The only issue is there is little time between now and the next edition," a close source had told InsideSport.

CSK are currently placed at the bottom of the table, with only eight points, winning just four matches and losing eight from 12. They play former two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the remaining fixtures.