CSK clinch IPL 2018, MS Dhoni says age is not a factor

After defying critics over Chennai Super Kings’ ageing squad with their 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) title triumph, skipper MS Dhoni said age was never a factor as far as his team was concerned. (CSK vs SRH IPL 2018 FINAL HIGHLIGHTS)

“We talked a lot about age but what matters is the fitness. (Ambati) Rayudu for example is 33, he’s someone who is fit, covers a lot of ground. Even if he plays a few games where he spends a lot of time in the ground and in the field, he never complains. So it is the fitness that really matters more than the age aspect,” Dhoni said moments after the game. (CSK vs SRH IPL 2018 FINAL SCORECARD)

“What captains want is players who move well in the field. It doesn’t matter which year a player is born in, whether you are 19 or 20 - you have to be agile. You have to accept your shortcomings. For example if I push (Shane) Watson to stop a single, there is a very good chance that he’ll burst his hamstring and won’t be available for the next game. So what you tell yourselves is that they have to commit and try, but there’s no point getting injured for a single,” he added.

Having guided his side to their third IPL title, Dhoni said plans to celebrate the title win were yet to be made. “No plans to celebrate as of now. We are going to Chennai tomorrow, meet a few people, the fans and some people who are close to the franchise. But we’ll have a get-together in the hotel and celebrate,” he said. After being set a target of 179 by Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sunday’s final, Shane Watson’s unbeaten 117 helped CSK coast to a comfortable eight-wicket win. This was CSK’s seventh final overall.