5 times other IPL team owners praised CSK legend MS Dhoni ft. Sanjiv Goenka

MS Dhoni has been among the top players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the league's inception in 2008. Captaining the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from 2008 to 2015 and then from 2018 to 2023, Dhoni not only made several memorable contributions with the bat but also led from the front as a captain.

MS Dhoni is among the most successful captains in IPL history, leading CSK to five titles and making them the joint-most successful franchise. The wicketkeeper-batter stepped down from the post ahead of the 2024 season but even at 43 years of age, he remains an integral part of the side heading into the 2025 season.

Dhoni has created his own legacy, being among the most feared and loved players at the same time. Keeping the on-field battles aside, not just fans but even owners of other franchises have heaped praise on the former Indian and CSK captain.

Most recently, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka stated that he has not seen a leader like Dhoni, praising him for his thinking and approach. That said, here are the five times other IPL team owners praised CSK legend MS Dhoni.

---

#5 Sanjiv Goenka

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, in a recent appearance on the TRS show, praised how MS Dhoni was reinventing himself even at this stage in his career. He also hailed his leadership qualities.

Goenka praised Dhoni for his approach and thinking, adding that there was always something to learn from him.

“I’ve never seen a leader like MS Dhoni. It’s crazy how even to this day he keeps reinventing himself. Just look at Pathirana, a baby bowler. Don’t know where MS saw him and now groomed him into a lethal match winner. He knows how to use his players well, and he keeps on thinking. Whenever I interact with him, I always learn something," Goenka was quoted as saying.

---

#4 Nita Ambani

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have shared a fierce rivalry in the IPL, being the two best teams in the league's history. Fans love watching the two teams face off as more often than not, they bring out the best in each other.

In 2019, Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani expressed her thoughts on MS Dhoni, which was posted as a tweet by Mumbai Indians on X.

"I respect MS Dhoni as a captain the most. Whether we win or lose, it's always a special match against CSK," she was quoted as saying in a tweet by Mumbai Indians.

---

#3 Juhi Chawla

After a match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and CSK in IPL 2023, KKR co-owner Juhi Chawla opened up on MS Dhoni receiving love from the crowd at the Eden Gardens.

After the game, in an interaction with ANI, Juhi stated that watching Dhoni play as a captain was wonderful. She also went on to praise the CSK team for their effort as they beat KKR in that match.

"Chennai Super Kings played well today. Watching MS Dhoni play as a captain is wonderful. We hope we can do what CSK just did, in our next match... There were so many people supporting CSK, we thought we have reached Chennai," she said.

---

#2 Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta, who jointly owns the Punjab Kings (PBKS), is also among the IPL owners to have praised MS Dhoni. In an interaction with SportsTak in 2018, Preity said that Dhoni was the one player she always wanted in her team.

"There is only one player who I would always want to be in my team but he will never be and that is Dhoni. I was not a Dhoni fan when the IPL started. However, from what I have seen of him in these ten years and having understood him, I admire him a lot," she said.

She added:

"He doesn't need to tell people who he is, he is Dhoni. I really admore him as he led India as well and the country has won a lot under him. Even if you look at him on the ground, he stays calm and collective."

---

#1 Shahrukh Khan

Well-known and widely loved Bollywood celebrity Shahrukh Khan, also one of the owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has always had a special connection with cricket.

During the 2017 IPL, Shahrukh Khan expressed his keen desire to have MD Dhoni in the team. However, CSK retained Dhoni as they were reinstated into the league in 2018 after a two-year ban.

Shahrukh Khan jokingly suggested he would even sell his pyjama to acquire Dhoni's services.

"Yaar main toh usko apna pyjama bech ke bhi kharid lun, wo aaye toh auction mein. (Brother, I can even sell my pyjamas to buy Dhoni. He has to come for the auction for that)," he was quoted as saying by Sportswallah.