"The tricks Dhoni used to come up with, we worked to find a solution" - Harbhajan Singh opens up on how MI dominated CSK in the IPL

Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has opened up on how Mumbai Indians (MI) dominated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, especially in big games. He said that they would formulate their strategies to counter MS Dhoni's tricks. While both franchises are the most successful in league history with five titles each, MI have got the better of CSK in head-to-head meetings.

MI lead 20-17 in their 37 IPL meetings and hold a 3-1 edge in the finals, including winning the last three summit clashes in 2013, 2015, and 2019. Meanwhile, Harbhajan played for MI from 2008 to 2017 and was part of their first three title-winning campaigns before moving to CSK from 2018 to 2020.

During a conversation with Sports Yaari as quoted by NDTV, Harbhajan said:

"The tricks Dhoni used to come up with, we worked to find a solution. In pressure situations, MI did better than CSK. When I left MI to join CSK, I got a lot of love. Bowled well and won a championship, got a runners-up medal as well."

CSK returned from a two-year hiatus in 2016 and 2017 with a thrilling win from the brink of defeat against MI in the season opener in 2018. However, Harbhajan attributed the result to Dwayne Bravo's brilliance (68 off 30) on the day.

"In that match (IPL 2018), Dwayne Bravo's magical batting and Kedar Jadhav's show earned CSK the title. Else, MI would've won again. To overcome Dhoni, you have to think better, play your cards better. It isn't easy. MI have done it as they had better players and the planning was also good," he said.

Despite MI's overall and final dominance, CSK have started to turn things around by winning the last three matchups between the sides.

"Dhoni led the team and took it forward, Rohit is also doing the same" - Harbhajan Singh

Dhoni and Rohit have led India to their three World Cup wins since 2000. [Credit: Getty]

Harbhajan Singh shot down the comparison between MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as captains by saying all the legendary Indian captains left their mark for the successor to take the team forward.

Dhoni and Rohit have respectively led CSK and MI to five IPL titles each and captained India to their two T20 World Cup titles in 2007 and 2024. The former also led India to their second ODI World Cup title in 2011.

"Why do you compare the two? Dhoni led the team and took it forward, Rohit is also doing the same. Every cup you win, you put hope in others. That is important. The better captain is the one who inspires you to win. If we talk about achievements, Rohit is not lesser than Dhoni. Dada, Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit, everyone has contributed in their own way to take the team forward. Now, the fight is within to take the team even a step further," said Harbhajan.

Dhoni is India's winningest captain with 178 wins in 332 matches across formats, while Rohit has an incredible winning percentage of almost 75, having led India to 95 wins in 128 outings.

The duo are also top two as far as IPL captaincy is concerned, with Dhoni on 133 wins from 226 matches and Rohit on 87 wins from 158 games.