Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling consultant Eric Simons heaped praise on the franchise’s icon MS Dhoni, calling any speculation about the veteran’s future “crazy.” CSK’s title defense ended after a 27-run loss to RCB on Saturday, with all eyes on Dhoni and whether he would announce his retirement after CSK’s IPL 2024 campaign ended.
Simons, who has witnessed Dhoni with the Indian team during his stint as a bowling consultant in 2010, highlighted the various attributes that Dhoni offers to the team. He believes that the simplicity with which Dhoni perceives the game is what cricketers should strive for.
“There are so many memories of MS Dhoni, the knocks that he plays get you out of trouble,” Simons said. “I was in the dugout and said it was incredible we are in a situation with our backs against the wall, and he is at the wicket. You just don’t stop believing he can win for you. So I think that is one of the things that he brings to the group – the incredible self-belief.”
Simons added, “But he has a very simple structure and understanding of the game. I think that’s what a lot of cricketers should strive for – to really understand the game, and he does, and he helps guys with that sort of information and knowledge.”
After CSK’s heartbreaking loss, all eyes and cameras focused on Dhoni, waiting for a hint about his future. However, the veteran wicketkeeper remained tight-lipped, leaving fans anticipating his next move.
Simons addressed the speculations surrounding Dhoni’s future, stating, “But I think anybody wants to speculate about his future, that is crazy. MS knows what he is going to do. I know that this year I have seen him hit the ball from the pre-tournament camp. So he is playing extremely well, and he will make the decision.”
Praising Dhoni’s impact, Simons said, “He is a fantastic guy to be around. He has been fantastic to witness from the days I was with India and now with CSK. He is an incredible cricketer and an incredible individual in terms of his understanding of cricket and life. I think in many ways, what he passes on to guys is the incredible self-belief, never say die, and a simple understanding of the game of cricket he can put it in simple words, and I think that is one of the best things about him.”