IPL 2020: MS Dhoni will know how to revamp CSK says Anjum Chopra

Agencies | Chennai

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Even champion sides like Chennai Super Kings tend to slip but 'match-winner' MS Dhoni would know what 3-time champions need to get back to winning ways in the next Indian Premier League season, believes former India women's team captain, Anjum Chopra. The cricketer-turned commentator and analyst, who is in the UAE for IPL 2020 commentary duty, backs Dhoni to be at the center of things even if CSK opt to revamp their side after the lows of 2020.

Even as the battle of the top 4 spots is spicier than ever with 7 of the 8 teams still in contention with only 9 matches to go in the league stages, CSK have had a dramatic exit from the IPL 2020 play-offs race. MS Dhoni's men have not made it to the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in its history.

Anjum Chopra speaking to an Indian news portal said quite a lot of things didn't go well for CSK right from the start of IPL 2020, pointing out that they had to begin with Plan C after the withdrawals and injury concerns to some of their key players. Chopra said CSK will look at revamping their side and having Dhoni at the helm will help them in getting things right ahead of the next season.

"I think he should be (at the center of CSK for the next couple of years). And why not? He is probably the only player who has never been to an auction and he has been a marquee player as well. He deserves to be there as well. Just because one season hasn't worked for the team collectively, that doesn't mean the leader is bad," Anjum Chopra said.

"MS Dhoni is too experienced and too good a player... he has been match-winner. He knows what are the challenges and what are the things that they need to do from hereon. He wouldn't have won all those titles, if he didn't know what he was doing. I don't think, just because one season hasn't gone in their favour, it should really make a big difference.

"But yes, going forward, MS Dhoni also would be knowing exactly how to revamp this team and change things around so that they start getting results they so desire."

Chennai Super Kings are languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2020 points table with just 4 wins from 12 matches. The aging side struggled to find the right combination after the early setbacks and their top stars not being in form following a long absence from competitive cricket meant they were not able to get going from the word go.

"A lot of things didn't go their way. Obviously, we are aware that they are good at their own backyard, which is Chepauk. We also have to be fair and realistic about it as well. They have dominated this format. Once the start wasn't that good, they were always playing catch-up," Chopra said.

"When you are chopping and changing, it becomes difficult. There is always a Plan A and a Plan B, but then when you have to start with a Plan C, you're always playing catch-up."

Stressing that CSK have to play it smart even if there is an auction coming up in the near future, Chopra said: "There will be an opportunity for them to back and reassess where they have come from and where they are going to go.

"I am sure they will be looking to maybe revamping or changing and chopping around. Also, another very important factor is whom are they going to pick? It's not that everybody is going to lend all their players."