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In the realm of IPL cricket, few names shine as brightly as that of MS Dhoni. Widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in cricket history, Dhoni's leadership prowess has garnered praise from peers and pundits alike. The marquee tournament will complete 16 years of the first-ever IPL auction on February 20th, 2024, and Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the TATA IPL 2024, curated a special show to select the 'All Time Greatest IPL Team'. The show featured an esteemed panel of cricketing legends - Mathew Hayden, Dale Steyn, Wasim Akram, and Tom Moody, who unveiled their picks for the all-time greatest IPL squad, assembling the 'Incredible 16' team. With discussions in full flow to select the best Captain in IPL history, the experts unanimously hailed Dhoni as not only the greatest captain but also a potential coaching luminary in the IPL. Don't miss the electrifying reveal of the 'Incredible 16 of IPL’ on the Star Sports Network on February 20th, 2024, at 7 PM.
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports on the ‘Star Sports Incredible 16 of IPL’, former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn echoed sentiments shared by many when he hailed Dhoni as the epitome of leadership excellence. With a laundry list of achievements including World Cup triumphs, IPL titles, and ICC Champions Trophy victories, Steyn emphasized Dhoni's ability to inspire and manage his team both on and off the field. "It has to be MS Dhoni. He has won everything: World Cup, IPL, ICC Champions Trophy. I think he's a leader of men, and you've got a bunch of men here that are all at the highest level of their game, and they need someone who has been there and done that and can manage them extremely well on and off the field, so I will have to go with MS Dhoni,” he said.
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports on the ‘Star Sports Incredible 16 of IPL’, and adding to the chorus of accolades, former Australia cricketer and Coach Tom Moody emphasized Dhoni's remarkable feat of leading teams to success, even with squads of varying calibers. Moody highlighted Dhoni's knack for harnessing the potential of diverse talents, showcasing his adaptability and strategic acumen. He said “It has to be MS Dhoni for me, the reason being MS Dhoni has won the title with very good squads and average squads, and that tells me a lot about the captain and how he can lead a variety of talent in a squad to success. Rohit Sharma has been a brilliant captain for MI but MI have always had the best squads or up there with the best squads in the IPL since its inception.”
However, it wasn't just Dhoni's captaincy prowess that drew praise. Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden delved deeper, lauding Dhoni's potential as a coach. Hayden pointed out Dhoni's unique ability to straddle roles as both player and manager, citing his calming influence and astute leadership style as invaluable assets in guiding teams to glory. Speaking exclusively to Star Sports on the ‘Star Sports Incredible 16 of IPL’, Matthew Hayden said “I think it's an obvious choice, it's not a debate over here, it's going to be unanimous amongst the entire Indian community. Of course, Rohit Sharma, the Hitman, is such an incredible leader as well, so it's a tough choice, but I'm going to be bold and I'm going to pick Dhoni as a Captain and Coach as well. He started in 2008, Shane Warne was captain and coach, and he took the franchise, the double R's, to a title that year, and I just feel that MS Dhoni can also be a coach.”
As the IPL continues to grow, one thing remains constant – the enduring legacy of MS Dhoni. Whether as a captain, player, or future coach, Dhoni's impact on the league is undeniable, leaving an indelible mark on cricketing history. As accolades pour in from all quarters, one fact remains clear – in the pantheon of IPL greats, MS Dhoni stands tall as a beacon of leadership and inspiration.
Watch the ‘Star Sports Incredible 16’ show, on February 20th, 2024, at 7 PM, exclusively on the Star Sports Network
(With inputs from press release)
