Not having Dhoni doesn’t make CSK less of a good team: Klaasen

Hyderabad

A faltering bowling unit, inconsistency with the bat and underwhelming returns from high-value players person condemned Chennai Super Kings to a dismal commencement successful IPL 2026 featuring 3 consecutive defeats. Significant squad changes – immoderate mandated by injuries, immoderate by signifier – person disrupted squad equilibrium with the broadside struggling to travel up with a winning combination.

That said, 1 constituent that cannot bull blasted for CSK’s struggles is the lack of M.S. Dhoni, astatine slightest according to Heinrich Klaasen. The Sunrisers Hyderabad prima believes the five-time champion possesses capable firepower to compensate for the lack of its talismanic erstwhile skipper.

“They’ve evidently got an unthinkable IPL grounds and person ever been a beardown side. Not having Dhoni doesn’t marque them little of a bully team. The players they person presently are unbelievable arsenic well,” Klaasen said successful a media enactment facilitated by Star Sports.

“They’re going to get (Dewald) Brevis back, which volition fortify their mediate order. The 2 openers haven’t truly scored thing yet, truthful they’re owed for runs.”

The 34-year-old added that Dhoni’s power extends good beyond his on-field presence.

“Dhoni not being determination doesn’t truly marque a difference, due to the fact that he’s inactive successful the dugout sharing his acquisition with the guys. Normally, implicit the past fewer seasons, helium astir apt bats the past 10 balls lone anyway. So it’s the different guys successful the squad that you person to interest astir more.”

That said, Klaasen acknowledged 1 country wherever Dhoni’s lack is noticeable.

“The assemblage volition beryllium a small spot quieter. Normally, erstwhile helium walks onto the ground, you can’t perceive thing astir you. Hopefully their signifier continues to conflict a small spot against america truthful we tin truly enactment them nether pressure.”

Klaasen is peculiarly blessed astir not having to interest astir 1 antheral astatine Chepauk.

“Chennai is astir apt not the easiest spot to play cricket, particularly if you person idiosyncratic similar (Ravindra) Jadeja (now backmost astatine Rajasthan Royals) who tin vessel astatine 100 kilometers an hr and the shot spins and conscionable holds a small bit. Luckily, he’s not determination this season.”