Age is just a number, fitness matters the most - MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings made a remarkable comeback to win their 3rd IPL title after they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, May 27. CSK had been consistent throughout the tournament and finished second on the points table in the league stage.

CSK was the team who had not many young players yet they came out as victorious. There had been a lot talk about their age and fitness but in the end, CSK proved that age is just a number.



Mahendra Singh Dhoni who always believe in fitness, had said that if you have fitness then age become pointless.

"By the team, you reach the finals everybody knows their roles. The fielders have to adjust their roles while fielding, but while batting the styles are well known. So if somebody is finding it difficult in the middle, you know the incoming batsmen wouldn't find it easy as well. [On Bravo sitting with pads on] He keeps doing it on his own. There was no plan as such; with Faf playing Rayudu had to come down at four. But Bravo is someone who pads quite easily and stays ready. Very difficult to recall what the earlier championship wins were. A lot of people talk about stats, so tonight is 27th, my jersey number is seven and this is the seventh final for us. Enough reasons to win it. But none of these reasons matter, what matters is that we've won it in the end"

Source: IPLT20.com



"We talked a lot about age but what matters is the fitness. 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 on the ground and in the field, he never complains. So it is the fitness that really matters more than the age aspect. What captains want are 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 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"

"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," said Dhoni while talking in the presentation ceremony.

Chennai has been the most successful franchise in IPL history. They made to playoffs in every season they had played while seven times they made it to the finals.



On the other hand, it was heartbreak for Sunrisers Hyderabad. They played brilliantly throughout the season. Their bowling had been the best till the final but they failed to make it when it matters the most.

"We thought it would be very competitive total. It was a good surface but slower balls were holding. Hats off, Shane Watson comes and gets 120 not out in the final. It's frustrating but CSK were deserved winner. They certainly showed their experience. A new bunch of guys in SRH, a great bunch of guys in the unit. Showed great character. It was a great experience leading this side, shame that we couldn't win the final, but there are a lot of positives. Every team is trying to find the balance between bat and ball"

"No doubt having a quality bowling attack with bowlers who can control the death overs and also likes of Rashid are all great asset to have. As a team, we look back fondly on the season. It's a collective effort from the team. I enjoyed the captaincy and it was nice to contribute to the team with the bat personally," said Williamson.

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