The 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) ended on the best note for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the team lifted their fifth trophy by defeating Gujarat Titans in the last ball of the game, after rain had caused a reduction in playing time.
One of the standout performers for CSK throughout the season, including the final, was batsman Shivam Dube, who looked to hit every ball out of the park to put the Super Kings on the front foot early on whenever they were batting.
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Dube has credited skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's belief in him to take matters into his own hands during crucial moments.
'Dhoni said I could win matches on my own': Shivam Dube
Speaking at a promotional event, Dube stated that the entire team have each other's backs and it's not about the individual's performance, but the squad achieving success together. However, he said this cohesiveness also had a positive influence on his performance as Dhoni and co. always believed in him, with the skipper telling him he can win matches on his own, which boosted the batsman's morale.
"In CSK, all of us believe in the team’s cause. Like, even if I do well and the team loses, it doesn’t make me happy. All of us want the team to win and make everyone happy and not look for individual happiness. Honestly, there was not much of a change in my batting in the just-concluded IPL season. The best part being the kind of support and backing by the entire CSK as such including captain Mahi bhai (Dhoni), teammates and support staff. All of them wanted me to do better this season. I felt very happy when Mahi bhai told me that I could win some matches on my own. That lifted my confidence level a lot," said Dube.
Are CSK thinking about life after Dhoni?
When CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was asked about Dhoni's retirement and a potential free-up of INR 15 Crore in CSK's purse in the mini-auction ahead of the 2024 season, he brushed aside those talks.
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He told PTI, “Frankly, we are not even thinking along those lines as we have not reached that stage”, said Viswanathan. He added that the final decision would be in the hands of Dhoni, and the CSK management will act accordingly.
Viswanathan also expressed his gratitude towards Dhoni in the interview. “In our franchise, the skipper keeps everything uncomplicated. The key has been to keep things simple and explain to every player what is expected of them”.