The way Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifted the spirits of Indian team is undeniable and priceless. Indian squad garnered world cups in all formats under his guidance. Thanks to the man of impossibilities, with more than 12 years of experience in One-Day International Cricket, MS Dhoni has learned the ever existing tactics and possibilities in cricket. His being cool and attentive nature is all that deserves a sound applause.
Now after signing off the captaincy, Dhoni still indirectly in guiding Indian players in many ways. There are a plethora of moments when he is seen directing the bowlers and suggesting the other teammates in multiple ways. It is pretty clear that Kohli is so far at his best in learning some ground-breaking things from the former captain.
In the recent ODI match against Australia at Kolkata, many of us might have acknowledged Dhoni passing some suggestions to the young cricketers. It is the stump microphones that managed to catch the former skipper’s words and the fans are surely loving the way he is helping the bowlers and nurturing the current skipper Virat Kohli.
This happened during the 15th over when Yuzvendra Chahal came to bowl. Dhoni was heard asking Hardik Pandya to move a couple of steps back. He was expecting Steve Smith to come down the track. “Do Kadam Piche Rahna (roughly translated: Stay back a couple of steps),” Dhoni was heard saying this.
Watch the video here:
This is not the only moment Dhoni wore captain hat, next to that, during the 23rd over, Dhoni was heard giving bits of advice to the young leggie Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal was bowling well but had the dangerous hitting batsman Glenn Maxwell to negotiate with. Chahal took the advice from Dhoni and bowled a leg stump line which the batsman failed to read and MS Dhoni completed the stumping in a flash just as always he does.
In the recording, it is heard: “Ball jyada ghumega to dande me daal Dena (roughly translated: If the ball turns a lot, bowl at the stumps).”
Watch the video here:
Post the match, Kuldeep Yadav even spoke about the pieces of advice he gets from Dhoni. Kuldeep became the show-stopper of the day by bagging an innumerable hattrick in the ODI. He partly credited Dhoni for the deed. He noted that he was taken aback after being hit for three sixes in the previous game by Glenn Maxwell. He had then spoken to Dhoni who advised him to keep things natural and stay balanced.
The 22-Year-Old bowler then said, “Not really (could never dream it). Initially, I was struggling to bowl in a particular area. It’s a game of cricket, everything happens. The last match, where I was hit for three sixes in an over, was a learning experience.
Further revealing Dhoni’s suggestion, Kuldeep added, “Tujhe jaisa lagta hai wo daal (bowl what you want)”. This is special for me, changed the game for us. Really a proud moment.”
Ain’t that all enough about Dhoni’s contribution behind the wickets and in front of the wickets when the country needs him the most. More is yet to come, let us wish more surprises from the forever cool captain India ever had or could ever have.