Chennai Super Kings' Camaraderie Key to Team's Success, Says MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Tuesday that the camaraderie between the young and the senior players was key to the consistent good show of his side in the IPL. (Full Coverage of the Indian Premier League)

"The reason for CSK's consistency has been the gelling of young and senior cricket players with the help of support staff," Dhoni said in a "meet and greet" event organised by UST Global, a leading IT services and solutions provider, which is also a principal sponsor of CSK. (Chennai Outplayed by Rajasthan in Every Department: Fleming)

The Super Kings have failed to produce enough young talent for Team India in recent times. Dhoni said it is difficult to drop senior players to accommodate youngsters. (Dhoni Plays Down Royals Defeat, Calls it Off-Day)

"We had (Ravindra) Jadeja coming in as a youngster. We also had Ishwar Pandey, Mohit Sharma, who is playing for India. We also had Pawan Negi. We have a young pool of players but we cannot have senior players like Brendon McCullum sitting out - it is always a difficult choice," he said.

Dhoni further said it was a great advantage for the younger men to have senior players like Suresh Raina and Mike Hussey in the side.

"It is very beneficial to have senior players like Hussey who can guide young players. That is what we have been doing and that is why we have a pool of talent in our team," he added.

Replying to a query on his baby daughter Ziva, Dhoni said he missed her badly on the long Australian tour.

"When she was born I was not in India and had not seen her.

"It was a tough period," he said.

Dhoni said the birth of a child brings changes in people's lives. "Your life does change with the kind of smile the baby gives you," he said.

Dhoni further said, "She doesn't care whether I play for my country or play for a good franchisee like Chennai. She wants to cry, she cries. It gives a very good feeling."