5 players who started and ended their IPL career under MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni has been one of the most successful captains in the Indian Premier League history. Dhoni has been the Chennai Super Kings' captain since 2008. The only season when Dhoni did not lead his team was the tenth edition of the IPL, where Steve Smith captained the Rising Pune Supergiant team.
However, Dhoni was back as the CSK captain in 2018, and in CSK's first season after their return, he led the side to its third championship victory. MS Dhoni has played a huge role in the cricket careers of some great players. In this listicle, we will glance at those five cricketers who started and ended their IPL career under MS Dhoni's captaincy.
(Please Note: Players who featured in minimum 3 IPL seasons are considered)
5. George Bailey started under MS Dhoni and then knocked CSK out in 2014
George Bailey was a member of the Chennai Super Kings that won the IPL trophy in the year 2010. Bailey made his IPL debut as an uncapped overseas player for the CSK team in 2009. In total, Bailey played four matches for Chennai, amassing 63 runs at a strike rate of less than 100.
Bailey later became the Punjab Kings' captain and guided the side to their only IPL Final. He came back to MS Dhoni's team Rising Pune Supergiant as a replacement player in 2016. The Aussie batsman aggregated 84 runs at a strike rate of close to 85 in five innings for RPS.
4. Matthew Hayden
Former IPL Orange Cap winner Matthew Hayden ended his IPL career with a championship triumph in 2010. The Australian legend played only three seasons in his IPL career, where he scored 1,107 runs at a strike rate of 137.52.
Hayden opened the innings for CSK and was one of the most reliable players for MS Dhoni. After making his IPL debut under Dhoni's leadership, Hayden bid farewell to the tournament after lifting the cup in season three.
3. Albie Morkel often destroyed opposition bowling attacks with MS Dhoni
Overseas all-rounders have always done well for the Chennai Super Kings. Albie Morkel was perhaps one of the biggest game-changers for the team in the initial few seasons.
The South African player, who has retired from cricket now, scored 827 runs in 59 innings for CSK at a strike rate of close to 145. Notably, he was unbeaten in 24 of those 59 innings. Also, he scalped 76 wickets while wearing the yellow jersey. In 2016, Morkel joined the Rising Pune Supergiant and played his final season under MS Dhoni's captaincy.
2. Joginder Sharma
Many Indian fans remember medium pacer Joginder Sharma for his match-winning final over in the ICC World T20 2007. MS Dhoni surprisingly gave Sharma the ball for the final six deliveries, and he did not disappoint his captain.
Joginder joined the Chennai Super Kings in 2008. He played four seasons and won two trophies with the team. Unfortunately, no other franchise signed him after the 2011 season.
1. Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey was the first Chennai Super Kings batsman to score an IPL hundred. He touched the magical three-figure mark on his IPL debut against the Punjab Kings.
Hussey played in the IPL from 2008 to 2015. He started his career with CSK in 2013 before moving to MI for the 2014 edition of the IPL. However, CSK signed him again in 2015, where he played a match-winning knock versus the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 2.