'What has this season taught you, what to do next' - CSK players reveal MS Dhoni's message after IPL 2023 triumph

Chennai Super Kings pacer Tushar Deshpande and batter Shivam Dube have revealed what skipper MS Dhoni spoke in the dressing room following their IPL 2023 triumph. Notably, Dhoni and Co. beat the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans in the rain-shortened final on midnight of May 30 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Dube, who hammered an unbeaten 32 runs in the final, revealed that Dhoni gave him clarity of thought and instructed him to increase his run rate. The 29-year-old added that Dhoni advised him that even if he gets out early, he should strive to finish the work at hand.

“Mahi bhai gave me clarity of thought. He told me what my role is. It was simple tujhe jaa kar team ka run rate badhana hai. (You have to increase the run rate). Even if I get out early no problem but try to complete the task given. The brief was clear," Dube said in a chat with The Indian Express.

Dhoni gave the surety which is what players want: Tushar Deshpande

Deshpande also disclosed how CSK captain supported him despite him conceding 56 runs in the summit clash. He claimed that Dhoni told him that under the new Impact Player rule, a 200-plus score is the new normal. Notably, with 21 wickets, the Mumbai bowler finished his IPL 2023 campaign as CSK's highest wicket-taker. 

“Once I didn’t bowl well, he came and said that with the new impact rule, 200 plus score is the new normal and he told me don’t worry about my place. He gave the surety which is what (young) players want," said Deshpande.

Deshpande recalled the former India captain's message to CSK players, adding that their hard work had paid off, but they should remember what they did right and where they went wrong this year.

“He told everyone hard work is paid off, but do remember what we did right this year and where we went wrong. Mahi bhai said, ‘Yeh season tumko kya sikha ke gaya hai, aur aage kya karna hai, yeh zaroor sochna’ (What has this season taught you, and what to do next, do think about that)," the 28-year-old added.