In awe of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s longevity, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has in contrast the legendary wicket-keeper batter to a “diesel engine that by no means ends”. It’s extremely tough for a participant to be taking part in on the highest degree for therefore lengthy. However Dhoni has been doing preciously that for the Chennai Tremendous Kings within the IPL. He’s anticipated to guide the defending champions for the report fifteenth season throughout IPL 2024, having captained the facet to a record-equalling fifth title final yr.

“There have been a variety of rumours about MS Dhoni ending up final yr; that was not the case, women and gents. He could be again once more.

“Will this be his last season? Nobody is aware of. He simply appears to be this diesel engine that by no means ends. He retains operating. What an unimaginable participant, what an unimaginable captain,” de Villiers mentioned on his YouTube channel.

CSK has been a pressure to reckon with, profitable probably the most variety of championships alongside Mumbai Indians and most of its success has been attributed to sticking to the core group of senior gamers.

“I imagine it is by means of their presence, it is by means of the management of MSD, a peaceful coach in Stephen Fleming, senior gamers in Ravindra Jadeja and others who’ve actually set this unimaginable tradition alive.

“They’re a really intimidating workforce to play towards. They’re by no means straightforward to beat. That’s all the time an excellent attribute of a really profitable unit, of a really profitable franchise.

“When you find yourself taking part in nicely, it is ‘Sure, no downside, nobody’s gonna cease us’. However, when you find yourself not taking part in so nicely, they all the time discover a strategy to compete,” de Villiers added.

CSK get their IPL 2024 marketing campaign underway versus Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on on March 22.

“Mumbai Indians wanted Pandya to come back again”

All-rounder Hardik Pandya returns to Mumbai Indians after two seasons and de Villiers feels his return will remedy the five-time champions’ stability points, supplied he bowls.

The 30-year-old, who received 4 IPL titles with MI after becoming a member of the franchise in 2015, left the facet in 2022 to play for brand new franchise Gujarat Titans.

He led the Titans to the title of their debut season whereas ending runner up final yr.

“Hardik Pandya – they wanted him to come back again; in any other case, the stability simply did not look as robust. I believe Hardik goes to play an enormous position. Hopefully, he would be capable of maintain the ball in hand and be the all-rounder that Mumbai Indians want him to be,” acknowledged de Villiers.

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