Age was a concern, says Dhoni

“The age-group of the boys was definitely a concern, you had to keep them fit. We had to take care of the resources and to make sure that when we come to the business end of the tournament, the best 11 is available for selection,” Dhoni said. 

The two-time World Cup and IPL-winning captain was speaking on the eve of his team’s final against Sunrisers Hyderabad here. Dhoni added, “This year we have been able to do that. We did have an injury concerns in the middle, but it is good to have all the players available for selection.” 

The average age of the core team comprising Dhoni (36), Ambati Rayudu (32), Suresh Raina (31), Dwayne Bravo (34), Shane Watson (37) and Harbhajan Singh (37) is 34 and half years. 

In his trademark style, Dhoni justified his decision to often under-bowl veteran spinner Harbhajan through the league. “I have a lot of cars and bikes in my house. I don’t ride all at a time. A lot of times, especially when you have six to seven bowlers in the side, you want to see the conditions, you want to see who is batting and what is needed at that point of time. I see what is in best interest of the team,” Dhoni said. Harbhajan has played 13 matches out of the total 15 played by the team to pick up seven wickets in all. “In the past, we had Negi and Jadeja, and I gave them different slots of bowling. And the unreal thing is that a lot of times the player gets criticised at times for what the batsman is doing. I always check what is the condition and what is in the best interest of the team then before deciding on the bowler as to who has the best chance to succeed  over the bowler.”