IPL 2023: How MS Dhoni’s magical captaincy and field placement left GT bleeding vs CSK

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IPL 2023: The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana starred in Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) 15-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Qualifier 1 to enter the final of the IPL 2023 on Tuesday.

Playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), CSK posted 172/7 courtesy 44-ball 60 from Ruturaj Gaikwad. Later, Theekshana and Jadeja picked two wickets apiece as GT were bundled out for 157 in 20 overs.

Gaikwad as adjudged Man of the Match and Jadeja was hailed for his all-round show, however, it was CSK captain MS Dhoni who stole the show with his magical captaincy in the second innings of the match.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has highlighted the same, saying that Dhoni's field placement and bowling changes were spot on.

"You knew that the game will begin once the spinner come in. MS Dhoni is a master in controlling the field, getting his field placements right, bringing in those bowling changes and all those were spot on," Shastri told Star Sports after CSK entered their record-extending 10th IPL final.

Dhoni added another fielder on the off-side ahead of the fifth delivery of the sixth over from Theekshana as Hardik Pandya fell in the trap and ended up giving a catch to Ravindra Jadeja at backward point.

Later in the match, a fielder was perfectly placed at fine leg as dangerous Shubman Gill played a pull shot directly into the hands of Devon Conway who did not have to move even an inch.

In another incident, Rashid Khan ended up giving a catch at deep point seconds after Dhoni added extra fielders on the off side to allow Tushar Deshpande to continue with his plans.

My gut feeling pays off more often than not: Dhoni

Explaining his art of field changes, Dhoni during the post-match presentation ceremony revealed that his only request to the fielders is to keep an eye on him as he keeps moving them by a few inches based on his gut feeling.

“You see the wicket and according to that you keep adjusting the field. I can be a very annoying captain, I keep shifting fielders 2-3 feet. I believe in my gut feeling.

“I see the wicket, the line, what is happening and more often than not it pays off. Only request I ask from the fielders is, keep an eye on me. If there's a dropped catch there will be no reaction (from me), just keep an eye on me,” Dhoni said.