The M.S. Dhoni Way: Leadership Masterclass from the Master of the Craft - Pearls of Wisdom

Rajat Narang & Bhumika Chandra

Leadership lessons from the undisputed legend of the game with focus on unravelling MSD's approach to team leadership, strategy maneuvers, tactical play and overall take on the game through select post match presentation interviews. Note: All content rights fully reserved with the BCCI and the original broadcasters. Grab a copy of MSD's latest, just released Leadership book: The M.S. Dhoni Way on Amazon India - Available for Rs. 295 with 48 hours Prime delivery: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C5XTR5V2 For International readers: https://books2read.com/u/breX1W read less
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Episodes

"Will Follow him as a Soldier Knowing He can Never Send me on the Wrong Path" - Tushar Deshpande MSD
05-07-2023
"Will Follow him as a Soldier Knowing He can Never Send me on the Wrong Path" - Tushar Deshpande MSD
After winning the IPL 2023 title, the first words which came from MSD in the dressing room to his comrades were, "hard work paid off but don't forget what we did right and what we did wrong as a lesson for the next season as shared by Shivam Dube and Tushar Deshpande in an interview given to the Indian Express. They both shared as to how MSD's intervention as the master tactician proved pivotal to a complete turnaround in their performances after the initial, wobbly starts they both had. It's almost like a case study in how MSD grooms young talent by constantly guiding and nudging them while also pointing out their mistakes & errors in the face publicly during the post match presentations. Such is the incredible connect and trust enjoyed by MSD over his subjects... Audio Credits: Audio story published originally by the Indian Express voiced by AI based on article by Devendra Pandey published on June 01, 2023 and available at https://www.google.com/amp/s/indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/what-did-ms-dhoni-tell-his-csk-team-mates-in-the-dressing-room-after-the-ipl-win-8638342/lite/ All rights reserved by the Indian Express for the story and the article. Also, now that Dhoni's birthday is just round the corner and given that all of us are seriously missing him, gift yourself a souvenir by grabbing a copy of the latest book on MSD, 'The M.S. Dhoni Way' available in paperback on Amazon at https://www.amazon.in/M-S-Dhoni-Way-Ladership-Masterclass/dp/B0C5XTR5V2
"When MSD Truly Honoured the Spirit of the Game"
05-07-2023
"When MSD Truly Honoured the Spirit of the Game"
Amid the growing furore & uproar over Johnny Bairstow's unusual dismissal in the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series, an incident direct ly related to it comes to mind instantly, wherein, MSD honoured the spirit of the game while keeping the rulebook aside. It happened around twelve years ago in the India's tour of England in the year 2011. The incident involved former England batsman Ian Bell who was in the same situation as Bairstow now but he was then called back by the Indian captain MS Dhoni after the bizarre run out in the second Test of India’s England tour in 2011 and upon requests by the English captain Andrew Strauss and the coach Andy Flower. Also, the gentle voice insisting for & backing the decision to do so was none other than the legend Sachin Tendulkar himself. Audio credits: Indian Express' Audio news story piece voiced by AI. Based on a news article published on July 04, 2023 and available at https://indianexpress-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/in-wake-of-bairstow-stumping-controversy-at-ashes-revisiting-when-ms-dhoni-showed-spirit-of-cricket-8713276/lite/?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16884939676948&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Findianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Fsports%2Fcricket%2Fin-wake-of-bairstow-stumping-controversy-at-ashes-revisiting-when-ms-dhoni-showed-spirit-of-cricket-8713276%2F All rights reserved by the Indian Express for the story and the article. Also, now that Dhoni's birthday is just round the corner and given that all of us are seriously missing him, gift yourself a souvenir by grabbing a copy of the latest book on MSD, 'The M.S. Dhoni Way' available in paperback on Amazon at https://www.amazon.in/M-S-Dhoni-Way-Ladership-Masterclass/dp/B0C5XTR5V2
"A Team is as Strong as it's Weakest Link"
04-05-2023
"A Team is as Strong as it's Weakest Link"
CSK's weakest link, which is their young & inexperienced pace bowling attack, was exposed again and capitalised upon effectively by the Punjab batsmen in their last game. Facing a par score of 200 made by CSK thanks to MSD's two massive sixes on the last two balls of the innings, PBKS' swashbuckling batsmen took on the CSK's rookie pace bowlers early on and smashed them to all corners of the Chepauk ground. Only Pathirana seemed in control but was out of sheer luck as his accurate Yorkers also somehow made it to the boundary lines and PBKS won the nailbiting, last ball coiffhanger. MSD's strategy this season has been to somehow cover up their pace bowling weakness with above par scores by the batsmen which is their clear strength. Above par scores of 200 plus have been successfully defended by the CSK bowlers successfully in their last 3 consecutive wins prior to the loss against PBKS and the batting order's inability to chase against RR. Deepak Chahar's return in the yesterday's game against LSG should help alleviate the pace bowling issues to some extent going forward with the team slated to take on a resurgent arch-rival MI again in a crucial match, especially after the washout of the low-score LSG game costing them a critical point, which should make for an entertaining encounter...Grab a copy of MSD's latest, just released Leadership book: The M.S. Dhoni Way on Amazon India - Available for Rs. 295 with 48 hours Prime delivery: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C5XTR5V2 For International readers: https://books2read.com/u/breX1W
"The Battle Royale" - Tactical Play - Win-Loss Analysis
28-04-2023
"The Battle Royale" - Tactical Play - Win-Loss Analysis
CSK even lost round 2 of the Battle of Spinners against RR with the formidable triad of Spinners from both sides squaring off against each other once again in the pink city. Win-Loss Analysis: 1. CSK bowlers gave too many extra runs in the powerplay as well as death overs enabling RR to get to 202 batting first whereas the average score at Jaipur while batting first is around 165-170. 2. Moeen Ali was brought in late to bowl and was given just 2 overs to bowl in which he conceded just 7 runs. He could have been given two more overs as he was bowling well & was getting turn from pitch. 3. While chasing CSK made the same mistake of not capitalising on the powerplay as had happened in round 1 at Chepauk despite Trent Boult not playing. CSK openeres only made 45 from powerplay. 4. Middle overs went CSK's way with Shivam Dube & Moeen Ali hoisting RR spinners for some real big sixes. 5. RR's death bowling was accurate as usual. Sandeep Singh gave just 20 runs off his 4 overs while southpaw seamer Kuldeep gave just 18 off his 3 overs. Zampa was once again the pick of Spinners taking 3 wickets while giving just 22 runs off his 3 overs. Collectively, Sandeep, Kuldeep and Zampa gave just 64 runs in their 10 bowled overs which cost CSK the game while casing a huge score of 202. 6. MSD did not bat even for a ball when his presence in the middle was really needed to take on RR's quickies on a good batting wicket. 7. MSD should have come out to bat at number 7 instead of Jaddu as dhoni's hitting could have given CSK a much better chance of victory and could have at least reduced the margin of defeat which has impacted their run rate now & has brought them to the third spot on the points table after losing by 32 runs. Grab a copy of MSD's latest, just released Leadership book: The M.S. Dhoni Way on Amazon India - Available for Rs. 295 with 48 hours Prime delivery: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C5XTR5V2 For International readers: https://books2read.com/u/breX1W
"MSD & Harnessing the Potential of Rookies, Black Sheep, Veterans, Outliers & Fringe Players"
20-04-2023
"MSD & Harnessing the Potential of Rookies, Black Sheep, Veterans, Outliers & Fringe Players"
It's said it is not about what you have but rather about what you make of what you have that determines the outcome. CSK are clearly facing constraints, issues & challenges this time around once again in IPL 2023. But one man who remains unfazed by them and continues to focus on what best could be derived out of what he has is none other than MSD. He truly is the perfect blend of Maverick and Iceman with his disruptive abilities and ice cool demeanor & temperament which takes him a cut above all the rest. How he has brought back a veteran Rahane from the abyss of darkness to the spotlight and made him shine by backing him to the hilt truly is the stuff of legends. He filled a key void in his batting line-up by deploying a veteran at number 3. MSD has effectively harnessed Rahane's experience, technical soundness in batting & the knack of penetrating the field to great effect. Similarly, he has leveraged Shivam Dube's ability to decimate spinners with his big hitting capability rather than focusing on his known limitations against the short ball. The way MSD has deployed & handled his rookie pace bowling battery by nudging & guiding them subtly from behind is equally remarkable which has made them believe that they can even bowl at Death if required and they have delivered on that front effectively. That's the Dhoni Magic and it all emanates from belief, an unshakeable belief in self and his troops and when someone like MSD believes in them and has their back even ordinary players turn into extraordinary and deliver the goods on any given day come what may...That's how whatever Mahi touches eventually turns into Gold...Grab a copy of MSD's latest, just released Leadership book: The M.S. Dhoni Way on Amazon India - Available for Rs. 295 with 48 hours Prime delivery: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C5XTR5V2 For International readers: https://books2read.com/u/breX1W
The 'Battle of Spinners' at Fort Chepauk
14-04-2023
The 'Battle of Spinners' at Fort Chepauk
CSK faced RR in their latest encounter at their very own Fortress Chepauk which was being duly dubbed as the Battle of the Spinners given that both sides had 3 quality spinners each on a spin friendly wicket. Key takeaways:- 1. CSK's spinners, Jadeja, Moeen & Theekshana did well to restrict RR under 175 after a blistering start with Jadeja being the pick of the bowlers. MSD has a real problem in the pace bowling attack with the pace spearhead Deepak Chahar's hamstring injury. 2. CSK batters had an average start with the early loss of Rituraj within powerplay. Rahane again showed his batting class. 3. RR's spinners, Ashwin, Chahal & Zampa bowled beautifully as they kept taking wickets while containing the batsmen & building pressure and MSD was at the crease by the 15th over. 4. MSD & Jaddu needed 20 runs off the last 2 overs and they had almost brought 2 points home with some real great power hitting by the duo with the shades of vintage Mahi clearly visible. However, Mahi couldn't hit that last big one required on the last ball following a great Yorker by Sandeep Sharma pitched right outside his off stump. 5. CSK's spinners bowled 10 overs and conceded 84 runs while taking 3 wickets. RR's spinners on the contrary conceded 95 runs off their 12 bowled overs but they picked up 5 key wickets which effectively dictated the fate of the game. CSK's Theekshana gave 42 runs from his 4 overs without picking up a single wicket in his opening game this season. 6. MSD was his true humble self in the post match presentation with even the feat of playing his 200th IPL game not mattering to him as usual. He also showed his far-sightedness and goal focus given that he has been pacing up the games while effectively keeping the net run rate in mind at all times for the fag end of the tournament. 7. CSK will now take on RCB in their next game at Chinnaswamy on the coming Monday in what is likely to be another crackerjack of a game as always... Grab a copy of MSD's latest, just released Leadership book: The M.S. Dhoni Way on Amazon India - Available for Rs. 295 with 48 hours Prime delivery: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C5XTR5V2 For International readers: https://books2read.com/u/breX1W
"The Side which is the Quickest to Adapt on a Given Day Prevails"
11-04-2023
"The Side which is the Quickest to Adapt on a Given Day Prevails"
It is not the strongest or the mightiest but the side most adaptable to circumstances and the degree of change on any given day which thrives in the IPL and CSK so far have seemed to be living that as a motto this time around. With Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes out of the side against the important encounter versus arch-rival MI in their fortress, MSD showed true adaptability by fielding old hand Ajinkya Rahane who knows Wankhede at the back of his hand besides Pretorius (as we have been urging him to) and Magala who made his debut for CSK. Rahane, backed fully by Dhoni, seemed to have broken the jinx surrounding him as he showed his true class after almost being written off as a professional cricketer by media, selectors and the fraternity. 'Bravo' to MSD for believing in Rahane. Pretorius & Magala bring way more balance to the side with their ability to vary pace & bowl off cutters which becomes crucial on flat wickets and strengthens death bowling. Tushar Deshpande has been improving with every game while the spinners have always been the core pivot of CSK's line-up and they continue to unleash their lethal craft to trap the batsmen. The injury prone Deepak Chahar's injury in the powerplay itself came as another major blow to Dhoni's plans but he remained unfazed as usual being the captain cool and tackled it really well showing great adaptability rather than fretting over it. Overall, CSK seems to be a great side now with a strong and deep batting line-up and a variety of bowlers. However, the weakest link still remains in form of its duo of rookie quick bowlers, Deshpande & Hangargekar, and MSD's grooming & tactical deployment of them will be crucial to CSK's fortunes in this edition of IPL. Also, another point for the long haul, given Rahane's batting prowess, experience and proven leadership acumen for the Indian test side earlier, CSK could probably groom him for the captaincy role (after the Jaddu debacle last year) as an eventual successor to MSD when he eventually decides to hang up his boots. This way he could be groomed under MSD in real time for the inevitable or will CSK bring Ben Stokes to the fore...only time will tell. PS: Grab a copy of MSD's latest, just released Leadership book: The M.S. Dhoni Way on Amazon India - Available for Rs. 295 with 48 hours Prime delivery: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0C5XTR5V2 For International readers: https://books2read.com/u/breX1W