MS Dhoni Speaks About the Consistency in Selection
Image: Collected
|| India Correspondent ||
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) returned to its winning zone with a sizzling 10-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After the win, captain MS Dhoni opened up about their team selection.
He said that he and coach Stephen Fleming decided to stick with their veteran opener Shane Watson, whose came under the scanner as he failed to perform in the earlier games.
However, Watson didn’t break the trust of his captain and shared a 181-run opening stand with Faf du Plessis that helped CSK win the game.
"(Consistency in selection) is something we bank on," revealed MS Dhoni in the post-match presentation ceremony. "Fleming doesn't get the kind of recognition he should. The good thing is that we decide each and everything between us. It's not like we don't have debates over selections or positions. But it stays between us."
While chasing a 179-run target, CSK got off to a flying start as Watson and du Plessis’ onslaught lifted them to 60 runs inside the power play. Later, the duo added 41 runs in the next four overs. The KXIP bowlers failed to restrict the pair as they smashed them all over the park.
"I think we did the small things. That's what was important to us. The kind of start we got in batting, that's what we needed. Hopefully, we'll be able to replicate this in the coming games," MS Dhoni told.
While Watson smashed 11 boundaries and three sixes, du Plessis' knock comprised of 11 fours and one six as well. With this win, CSK moved up to two spots to be at the sixth place in the points table.
"He (Watson) was hitting it well in the nets and what you need is to do that in the middle. It was just a matter of time. Faf is like a sheet anchor for us, keeps playing those shots in the middle. We needed momentum with the right kind of shots. Watto and Faf backed themselves with the shots they're known for," the CSK captain concluded.
