In Chennai Super Kings’ season-opener win in opposition to Mumbai Indians, M.S. Dhoni didn’t have to do a lot with the bat strolling out to the center when his workforce wanted simply 4 to win.
However, the 43-year-old made his influence earlier within the night behind the stumps when he pulled off one in every of his lightning-quick stumpings to go away Suryakumar Yadav stranded and shocked. In the context of the match, it was a pivotal second because the stand-in MI skipper had cast a 51-run stand with Tilak Varma. The wicket triggered a mini-collapse.
Much like his batting, Dhoni’s wicketkeeping approach doesn’t comply with the copybook, however he continues to set the bar. His effectiveness is much more pronounced whereas standing up to the spinners. This is essential, particularly on the spinner-friendly surfaces on the MAC Stadium.
“Over the last 50 years, ’keepers have been doing the same. They say in cricket that you give — when the ball is coming to you, you are supposed to receive it. I said, ‘why do you need to receive the ball?’ We have rubber gloves and there is cotton (inner gloves) inside. So it’s already quite soft. I don’t have to give (receive), I can snatch the ball,” Dhoni had defined about his approach a number of years in the past.
The fraction of seconds he saves by intercepting the ball because it passes the stumps has spelt doom for batters, one thing that Suryakumar came upon on Sunday.
Though Dhoni’s function within the IPL has modified since final 12 months, having handed over the captain’s armband to Ruturaj Gaikwad and batting decrease down the order, he’s a significant affect with the massive gloves and his precious inputs.
“If I’m not wicketkeeping, I think I’m useless on the field because that’s where I read the game in the best possible manner. When I’m right behind the stumps, I’m in a better position to judge what is happening and convey to the captain what is happening,” he stated just lately on JioHotstar’s MS Dhoni Experience present.
Published – March 24, 2025 09:07 pm IST
