R Ashwin says MS Dhoni's leadership traits changed CSK's fortunes forever

Ravichandran Ashwin has said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni has transformed Chennai Super Kings with his leadership traits. MS Dhoni has been leading CSK ever since inception of IPL in 2008. He has led m to three titles and five finals. Chennai franchise has also mand to reach playoffs in all seasons (except 2016 and 2017 editions as y were handed a two-year suspension along with 2008 winners Rajasthan Royals for ir alleged involvement in match-fixing scandal). 

'He transformed whole franchise': Ravichandran Ashwin

“I kw a lot over years, in terms of how CSK has come through, how MS has transformed whole franchise and what it means to him,” said Ashwin during his interaction with 'Voice of Indian Cricket' Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz live.

“For me, CSK is a team that was driven by MS’ leadership traits. A lot of people talk about MS’ leadership. My leadership in itself is what is going to come out of me having been a leader in last couple of years,” he added.

“It think MS’s middle-order batsmanship is t talked about eugh. In franchise cricket, or T20 cricket or any format of white-ball cricket, most difficult art to master is middle-order batsmanship. A leader inspires a team by pulling m out from deep trenches, MS has done it way too many more times than anybody I have seen".  “MS Dhoni’s leadership has always been “you guys enjoy it, I will take care of tumultuous moments. He has done it nine out of ten times, pulling his team out of trenches. He puts onus on himself and very often pulls team out of trouble. If that’s t a man to rally behind at a franchise, who else would you for?,” two-time IPL winner added. 

Ashwin was a part of CSK from 2010 to 2015 and was an integral member of 'Yellow Army' when y had won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 respectively. When three-time winners were suspended for two years, both Ashwin and Dhoni had played for w-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017  (Even though Ashwin was retained by franchise, he backed out from participating in 2017 season as he wanted some much-needed rest ahead of ICC Champions Trophy later that year). 

When CSK was reinstated in 2018 where y made a successful comeback by winning ir third title, veteran offie was t picked by franchise and he was eventually brought by 2014 finalists Kings XI Punjab whom he captained for next two seasons.

Tamil Nadu cricketer was released by KXIP during IPL 2020 Auctions and was brought by Delhi Capitals. Meanwhile, Mahi was all set to lead CSK in IPL 2020 that was originally scheduled to get underway on March 29 but has been indefinitely suspended as of w due to global pandemic. IPL 2020 would have also marked MSD's return to competitive cricket for first time since that heartbreaking World Cup 2019 semi-final loss at hands of New Zealand in July last year.

(Im Courtesy: BCCI)

READ: Mohammad Irfan Rubbishes 'death Rumours' On Social Media, Lanky Pak Pacer Says He's 'fine'