‘It will change dramatically on the field’ – Tom Moody reflects on CSK's future after MS Dhoni's retirement

Former Australian player Tom Moody has said that the four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will see a lot of changes after MS Dhoni’s retirement. The 2023 edition of IPL coming to its end as the playoffs begin on May 23 featuring the top four sides. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have reached their 12th playoff and will be playing against the table-toppers Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier on May 23 in Chennai.

Moody feels that though Dhoni will be present in the CSK camp in a different role in future, the impact of leadership on the field will change for sure. As per the views of ace commentator, the role of captaincy in IPL is pivotal for teams to reach the playoffs.

“It will change dramatically on the field, for sure. He will still have a presence because I'm sure he will still be there in some mentor role or coaching role. The impact of leadership is significant in the IPL and we have seen historically that the very well-led teams are more often than not in the top four,” said Moody in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

The 57-year-old also said that a franchise like CSK would not be chopping and changing things too much as the culture within the team and staff is set. Moody also pointed out an instance from the previous year's IPL when Ravindra Jadeja was handed over the captaincy and things did not look the way they should have for CSK.

It is easier for someone like Ajinkya Rahane and Piyush Chawla to succeed in CSK or MI: Tom Moody

The cricketer-turned-commentator also said that players like Ajinkya Rahane and Piyush Chawla find it simpler to play for franchises like CSK and the Mumbai Indians because they feel trusted and supported. Chawla has had his most productive IPL season in 2023, taking 20 wickets at an economy rate of 7.81 in 14 innings, while Rahane has scored 282 runs at a strike rate of 169.88 in nine innings this season.

"It is easier for someone like Piyush Chawla or Ajinkya Rahane to succeed in a franchise like MI or CSK because they feel like their skill is backed and they are trusted and given the opportunity to fail. Everyone fails, and it's the case of making sure that person still feels that they belong and they are trusted in what they are doing,” said Moody.