'In the 2008 IPL final, CSK team meeting led by MS Dhoni lasted for 2 minutes' - Parthiv Patel

MS Dhoni, who led the national side from 2007 to 2016 in the limited-overs format and 2008 to 2014 in Tests, is considered as one of the most successful skippers of India. Along with his batting, Dhoni’s on-field presence and wicketkeeping skills were also regarded as second to none. The veteran has been away from the sport since almost a year now but his popularity and fan-following fail to diminish.

A major chunk of MS Dhoni-fans also hails from Chennai as he has led the IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, to three trophies since the inception of the tournament. Along with Rohit Sharma, Dhoni is also the most-decorated skipper of the cash-rich league.

Many former CSK players have often hailed Dhoni’s decisions and instincts on the field. Parthiv Patel, who has been a part of the CSK squad, recalled his time at the franchise during the 2008 campaign on Star Sports.

The Gujarat skipper revealed that team meeting in 2008 lasted for two minutes in the 2008 IPL final as Dhoni always was clear about what he wanted from a player. According to Parthiv, he learnt a lot during his time with CSK by watching players like Hussey, Fleming, and Hayden.

‘Dhoni was always clear in what he wanted from his players’: Parthiv Patel

“Team meetings used to last for 2 minutes. In 2008 final, the CSK team meeting led by Dhoni lasted for 2 minutes and I am sure it lasted for 2 minutes in 2019 also. Dhoni was always clear in what he wanted from his players. I learned a lot in 2008 from watching players like Hussey, Fleming, and Hayden, how they get ready for big matches and how they prepare,” recalled Parthiv.

“IPL has changed a lot. There are more tactics, analytics and strategies. We used to aim for 30 to 36 runs in the last 5 overs of batting. Now scoring 50 to 60 runs in the last five overs of the first innings is the new normal,” he added.

While reminiscing the 2008 IPL final, Parthiv also revealed that Dhoni was always clear about team combinations and assigning roles to players. He also lauded Rajasthan Royals by saying that the Shane Warne-led side played like a group of 11 players during that season. In 2008 IPL final, Royals chased down the total of 163 runs and defeated CSK by three wickets to lift the inaugural IPL trophy.

“Dhoni was always clear about his team combinations and the role each player had to play in the squad. The RR team in the 2008 season played like a group of 11 players. It was never a team of individuals and that is why we took them seriously. They were never the underdogs,” said Parthiv during the show.

*To relive the match, tune in to the Star Sports network on Friday, May 29th, from 3 PM