IPL 2021: MS Dhoni reveals how Chennai Super Kings' fortunes have changed

Chennai Super Kings is a former three-time champion of the Indian Premier League, having last won in 2018. CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 2020, having finished at seventh. In IPL 2021, it is atop the table, having won five of the six games.

Former champion Chennai Super Kings is currently placed atop the 2021 Indian Premier League table, having won five of the six games so far. Being led by MS Dhoni, the side is desperate to change its fortunes this term after the 2020 howler.

During IPL 2020, CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time, while it finished at the seventh spot. Meanwhile, there seems to be a change in fortunes for the side, as Dhoni feels that the entirely new factors that were enforced last season, which was completely different from the normal, hurt the side.

"One of the facts was, five to six months we were out of cricket. Nothing was really allowed. It was not like you could go and practice on your own, that also makes it slightly more difficult. Then the change of venue, and you know quarantine, it was a slightly longer quarantine, people were not used to it. There were quite a few factors that could have resulted in that," Dhoni said during the post-match presentation following CSK's win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.

During the post-match press conference, Dhoni, along with head coach Stephen Fleming, admitted that the side had clarity over its playing XI, which somewhat lacked last season. "Whenever you start a tournament, you may or may not face some kind of issue with the playing XI. If there are a few issues, the earlier you settle it, the better it is because it gives some sort of a settled view to the teammates," he said.

Meanwhile, Dhoni also had some inspirational words for the players who are yet to get their chance this season. "For the last 8-10 years, we've not really changed a lot of players in our squad, and also we appreciate the ones who are not playing a lot. Keeping the dressing-room atmosphere healthy is very important. I think the individuals, we need to credit them because those are the persons who need to really digest it because it's not an easy thing - when you are at the top level, you want to play," he concluded.

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