3 players backed by MS Dhoni during his CSK captaincy

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) began on March 28 and will run until May 31, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) entering as the defending champions. Among the most successful franchises in IPL history is Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a team that has been synonymous with the legendary leadership of MS Dhoni.

Dhoni has not only led CSK to five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023) but has also played a crucial role in nurturing young talent. His ability to back players during tough phases has helped several cricketers rise to prominence, both in the IPL and on the international stage.

Here are 3 players MS Dhoni backed as CSK captain in the IPL:

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most impactful all-rounders in IPL history. He has won the IPL title four times, once with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and three times with CSK. One of his most memorable moments came in the 2023 IPL final, where he was named Player of the Match after hitting a boundary off the last ball to secure victory for CSK.

Jadeja is also CSK’s second-highest wicket-taker in the league. In 2022, he was handed the captaincy, but he stepped down mid-season, with Dhoni taking over once again. Despite that challenging phase, Dhoni’s backing ensured Jadeja continued to thrive. He also holds the record for scoring the most runs in an over in IPL history, smashing 36 runs off Harshal Patel in a seven-ball over in 2021. Across international cricket, Jadeja has contributed over 6000 runs and taken more than 500 wickets, underlining his all-round excellence.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s rise in the IPL is a testament to Dhoni’s faith in young players. He made his debut for CSK in 2020 and had a mixed start, scoring three fifties and two ducks in six matches after recovering from COVID-19. However, Dhoni continued to back him, and Gaikwad repaid that trust in 2021 by playing a pivotal role in CSK’s title-winning campaign.

He finished the season as the highest run-scorer with 635 runs and won the Orange Cap. CSK retained him ahead of the 2022 mega auction, and his importance to the team continued to grow. In 2024, Gaikwad was handed the captaincy, succeeding Dhoni. By IPL 2026, he had firmly established himself as the face of the franchise, with Dhoni’s mentorship playing a key role in his development.

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina, fondly known as ‘Mr. IPL’, was one of the most consistent performers in the league’s history. A key pillar of CSK, Raina shared a strong bond with Dhoni and was instrumental in the team’s success over the years.

Raina scored 5528 runs in 205 IPL matches and maintained remarkable consistency, registering 300-plus runs in 12 consecutive seasons. His aggressive batting, sharp fielding, and ability to perform under pressure made him a vital asset for CSK. Beyond the IPL, Raina also scored over 6000 runs for India across formats and was regarded as one of the finest fielders of his generation.