In a recent interview with India’s Sportskeeda Cricket, former Pakistani captain and World Cup-winner Wasim Akram shared his thoughts on the performance of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Akram expressed his belief that RCB would have secured three IPL trophies if the legendary MS Dhoni had been their captain, highlighting the team’s lack of silverware despite having T20 greats such as Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers.
Reflecting on Dhoni’s successful stint as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have clinched the IPL trophy four times, Akram emphasized the impact Dhoni would have had on RCB’s fortunes. “RCB would have won three IPL trophies by now if MS Dhoni was their captain,” stated Akram, further adding, “They have so much support and the world’s top modern-era player, Virat, but unfortunately, they have not won. If Dhoni was in RCB, he would have helped them win the title.”
Akram also delved into Dhoni’s captaincy style and how it instills confidence in his players. “Dhoni has a habit of captaining a team. Captaincy is also a habit. Even Virat would have been habituated by now, but Dhoni has had this habit. He is not calm from inside, but he shows that he is calm,” Akram revealed. The former Pakistani pacer emphasized the significance of a composed leader and the positive impact it has on the players. “When players see that their captain is chilled, keeps his hand on their shoulders, players become more confident. Dhoni is someone who knows to instill confidence in his players,” Akram concluded.
Shifting the focus to the current IPL season, RCB faced a setback in their last match against the Delhi Capitals (DC), succumbing to a seven-wicket loss. Despite Kohli’s commendable half-century, DC successfully chased down the target of 182 runs in just 16.2 overs, propelled by Phil Salt’s blistering knock of 87 runs off 45 balls.
Currently positioned at fifth place in the points table with 10 points, RCB faces a challenging road ahead. In contrast, CSK finds themselves in the second spot with 13 points, highlighting their consistent performance in the tournament.
As the IPL continues to unfold, the absence of an IPL trophy in RCB’s cabinet raises questions about the impact a captain like Dhoni could have had on the team’s fortunes. While RCB’s talented lineup remains a force to be reckoned with, Akram’s sentiments shed light on the intangible qualities that Dhoni possesses, which have propelled CSK to triumph on multiple occasions.
