Mahendra Singh Dhoni says IPL team Chennai Super Kings made him a better player

Chennai: CSK Skipper MS Dhoni during the practice session of the upcoming IPL 2020 at MAC Stadium, in Chennai, Monday, March 2, 2020. (PTI Photo/R Senthil Kumar)

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is returning to competitive cricket after almost nine months with the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting March 29, 2020. The former India captain credited Chennai Super Kings for making him a better player and helping him tackle some difficult situations both on and off the field.

Dhoni, who has been on a sabbatical since India's semifinal exit from the One-Day International World Cup 2019, on Monday received a rousing reception at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai during his first training session with CSK ahead of the T20 tournament.

"...CSK has helped me improve in everything, whether it was being a human being or being a cricketer, handling situations that are tough both in and out of the field and how to be humble once you are doing well," Dhoni said.

His ardent CSK fans fondly call him 'Thala', and the 38-year-old said the love and respect he has got from them is special. 'Thala' basically means brother, so for me it's more the abstract of the fans, the love and affection towards me is the reflection of that," he said. "Whenever I am in Chennai or down South they never call me by my name, they address me as 'Thala' and the moment someone calls me 'Thala' they are showing their love and respect but at the same time he is a CSK fan."

Former India batsman and former national team batting coach Sanjay Bangar said the break Dhoni had taken could help him reinvent himself.

"It is tough to find rhythm initially but it can also be a huge advantage. When you are playing international cricket, the amount of pressure you are under, you sort of getting into a tunnel vision with regard to various responsibility and the needs of the team. So from a player perspective, if he has taken a break for 6-7 months, he has a good chance to rediscover, refresh and reinvent."

There has been never-ending speculation on Dhoni's career but the wicketkeeper-batsman, who led India to two world titles - the 2007 World T20 triumph and the 2011 ODI World Cup - has maintained a stoic silence on what his next move would be.

He was dropped from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) list of centrally contracted players in January 2020.