Sydney: Australia great Ricky Ponting has shared his admiration for MS Dhoni and the enduring career the India legend continues to build on in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings.
Ponting spoke of Dhoni's ongoing legacy in the game with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review just moments after the Chennai Super Kings had decided to retain the services of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup-winning captain.
A two-time World Cup winning captain himself, Ponting reflected on Dhoni’s unique balance between player and mentor roles, emphasising that his experience and leadership are invaluable assets, even if he’s not captaining or actively on the field.
“Two seasons ago he probably had his worst season, but then last year again, he bounced back into really impacting some games like the MS Dhoni of old," Ponting said.
"I think it will be exactly the same now...they might not get him through the whole season. They might think about leaving him out for a game and resting him up here and there to make sure that they’re getting the best out of him,” he said.
Ponting noted that despite recent injuries, Dhoni still brings an irreplaceable presence to CSK.
“Any team that he's in, whether he's captain or not, he's always going to be a mentor and a leader around that group, whether he’s playing, whether he’s sitting on the sidelines, that’s just who he is…he’s crucial to Chennai, for that leadership that he brings on and off the field,” Ponting stated.
When discussing Dhoni’s longevity, Ponting expressed admiration, saying, “The best players are the ones that are able to maintain such a high level for a long time…for 10, 12, 14-year careers.”
He highlighted how Dhoni, like other legends, has found ways to evolve and remain impactful.
Ponting acknowledged that Dhoni’s role has changed over time, with him now batting later in the innings, but still making significant contributions.
“He’s actually batting the last 20 balls of an innings now but still showing that you can make a big impact on the game by doing that,” Ponting added.