IPL 2019: MS Dhoni impact on Chennai Super Kings - Numbers reveal dominance of skipper

For CSK, the impact of their skipper over the years has been immense. His presence at the helm since 2008 and his prowess with the bat and gloves has been monumental.

455 runs in 16 innings, MS Dhoni was the man in charge of proceedings last year. CSK was making a comeback after two years and the captain ensured he takes the mantle and his team along with him. It was winding the clock back, Dhoni was at his imperious best.

MS Dhoni at a CSK training session (CSK Twitter handle)

For Chennai Super Kings, the impact of their skipper over the years has been immense. His presence at the helm since 2008 and his prowess with the bat and gloves has been monumental.

He has walked out for CSK in 175 matches, which is only one match behind Suresh Raina. He has captained his side in 159 matches, most by any captain in the league. In these matches, he has won 94, which is the most by any captain in the league. His win rate as a skipper is 59.49% which is the second best after Steve Smith (66.67%).

With 3442 runs for CSK, the skipper is the second leading run-scorer for his side and is behind Suresh Raina (4144).

If coach Stephen Fleming is anything to go by, the skipper will be slotted in at number 4 position for the IPL as it will give him the best opportunity to pace the innings and then explode towards the end.

“Dhoni batted pretty much (at) No. 4 last year but we do use him in a little bit of a flexible role, so that won’t change,” Fleming said at the media conference organised by CSK.

“His (Dhoni’s) form has been outstanding in the past 10 months. We have a new player as well (Kedar Jadhav) which is great. So, we’re really happy with the (batting) order and the thoughts around that,” Fleming told reporters at an event to launch CSK merchandise here.