“I Feel There is an Intimidating Factor” AB de Villiers After CSK Qualified for IPL 2023 Final

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings stormed into the IPL 2023 final after they defeated Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1 on May 23. Former RCB batter AB de Villiers responded to CSK’s success and stated that MS Dhoni and his team have an intimidating factor that affects the strategies of opponent teams.

While speaking on JioCinema, AB de Villiers explained how difficult it is to beat Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk Stadium. The RCB star batter opened up about teams getting intimidated by CSK and the presence of MS Dhoni and the kind of support they get from the local cricket fans at the Chepauk.

“I feel there is an intimidating factor. Whether it’s the ground or it’s the MSD factor, opposition teams arrive thinking they have to play extraordinary cricket to beat them. But when you look at the scoreboard, you tend to lose by small margins,” AB de Villiers said while speaking to JioCinema.

It’s small things that turn a game upside down: AB de Villiers

“It’s 10 or 15 runs, being no-ball free, it’s small things that turn a game upside down. MSD and his troops tend to get it right, when they play at home, when they play in big Finals, you’ll see what they come up with,” the former batter discussed about high-pressure IPL games.

Chennai Super Kings is the most consistent side in the history of the Indian Premier League as they have qualified for the playoffs 12 times in 14 years. The IPL 2023 final will be their 10th appearance in the final of the cash-rich league while they have already lifted the IPL trophy 4 times.

MS Dhoni has always come up with exceptional strategies specifically in high-pressure matches which allows his side to excel in such games. As AB de Villiers discussed, opponent teams try to play extraordinary cricket against CSK which eventually leads to the downfall of themselves as they put a lot of pressure on their players.

The CSK side has shown great consistency in IPL 2023 as they won 8 games in the league stage and occupied the second position on the points table. They will now contest against the winner of Qualifier 2 in the IPL 2023 final.