Decoding Dhoni: Next season will be about figuring how to manage team from dugout

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was numb. He didn’t raise his head even as Ravindra Jadeja had started sprinting towards the dugout and his mates in canary yellow responding in kind. Maybe Dhoni was trying to process it all after a gruelling two months. Moeen Ali hugged him and the contours of his face was devoid of any emotion. Maybe there was a storm brewing in his mind during those last six balls and it was the calm after-effect.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was numb. He didn't raise his head even as Ravindra Jadeja had started sprinting towards the dugout and his mates in canary yellow responding in kind.

Maybe Dhoni was trying to process it all after a gruelling two months. Moeen Ali hugged him and the contours of his face was devoid of any emotion. Maybe there was a storm brewing in his mind during those last six balls and it was the calm after-effect.

Dhoni has just guided CSK to a fifth IPL trophy in 11 final appearances and he remained unfazed. Job done, what's the fuss about. He couldn't suppress his wide grin as an ecstatic Jadeja jumped on to his lap and engaged in a bear hug.

There were conjectures about their relationship deteriorating after Jadeja had to relinquish CSK captaincy mid-season in 2022, but as they say in Hindi, "anth bhala toh sab bhala" (all's well that ends well).

If Dhoni is involved, one would never know what actually transpired. Because what happens in 'Dhoniland' stays in 'Dhoniland'. Ask any CSK faithful, and he would vouch that it's an old concrete jungle saying.

Did the world see moistened eyes? Perhaps yes. But there won't be any overt display of emotions. It was all about process and execution with precision. A lot of pluck, and yes, a bit of luck, too.

He quietly trudges onto the field. Pats unlucky Gujarat Titans bowler Mohit Sharma's head. He knows how it feels to come so near and yet miss out. Remember Old Trafford where he was setting it up ala Dhoni style. That's why Dhoni is special and eminently relatable. He can relate with failures as much as he can with success.