The new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to kick off on 31 March with a match between four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT). Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be back in action, leading CSK. The former India captain will be eyeing a turnaround as CSK finished in the second-last position in IPL 2022.
The team management did what it could at the auction table and now it will be up to Dhoni to make good use of the resources at his disposal. However, former Australia batter Matthew Hayden, who also played for CSK, is worried about the team. Hayden feels the franchise has once again created a ‘Dad’s Army’ and it is to be seen if it leads to the decline of CSK.
“They have had this for a little, that they’re kind of a Dad’s Army – a tagline that they seem to have received. This year is a little bit the same as well,” Hayden told Star Sports.
“MS Dhoni (41) is of an age like Ambati Rayudu (37) where they really need to be key players, not just have the potential as leaders of the team. So those two key players in particular, with that age of their side, is it going to be experienced or is it going to be the decline of CSK?” said Hayden.
Notably, apart from a couple of names, the CSK squad consists of players in their late 20s or in their mid-30s. Dhoni, meanwhile, is already over 40. The new signings, Ben Stokes, Sisanda Magala, and Anjinkya Rahane are also in their mid-30s.
Nevertheless, Chennai has played with such aged players and has also won the title. It is to be seen if MS Dhoni manages to take this “Dad’s Army” over the line or if it will be a repeat of 2022.
