Virat Kohli Recalls How He Earned MS Dhoni’s Trust For India Captaincy

Virat Kohli on Saturday said his elevation to captaincy has a lot to do with Mahendra Singh Dhoni keenly observing his cricket smarts for six-seven long years. Kohli started his international career under the captaincy of Dhoni before taking over the reins of Team India. 

“I think a large portion of me becoming captain was also to do with him (MSD) observing me for a long period of time. It just can’t happen like he goes and selectors say ‘you become captain’,” Kohli replied to a specific question on the process of becoming the leader of the team.

“The guy who is there, he takes responsibility and says okay I think this is the next guy and I will tell you how he is going and then slowly that transition is formed.”

“I think he played a big role in that and that trust you have to build over, say six seven years, it just doesn’t happen overnight,” Kohli said.

The transition happened when Kohli would station himself at the first slip and pick Dhoni’s brains on tactical moves. “I was always in MS’s (Dhoni) ears, standing next to him, ‘yeh kar sakte ho, woh kar sakte ho (can we try these things), what do you think, he would deny a lot of things but he would discuss a lot of things as well, so he got a lot of confidence that I can do this (captain) after him,” the skipper said.

Source: India.com

Mohammad Kaif says Dhoni Needed More Freedom

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Yograj Singh’s allegations against MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli regarding his son Yuvraj are baseless to a large extent. Recently, Yograj has blamed Dhoni, Kohli and Team India selectors for betraying Yuvraj.

Mohammad Kaif, who played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for India, lauded Dhoni and said that the veteran stumper needed some freedom to make choices relating to team selection. Kaif was clear cut in saying that Dhoni didn’t resort to tactics like ‘favouritism’.

“Dhoni is the most successful white-ball cricket captain. He deserves some freedom to select his own team. You can question him when he fails to deliver. But his records are spectacular. He won many trophies for India. So, the selectors will give the freedom and values his suggestions. It will not become favouritism,” he added.

Dhoni took over as Team India captain in the 2007 edition of the T20 World Cup. He tasted immediate success in South Africa and was soon given the mantle in ODI and Test cricket as well. From there, the Ranchi-born cricketer didn’t look back. He not only flourished as the captain but also piled on runs with authority. 

Source: CT

Wriddhiman Saha Praises MS Dhoni

Team India cricketer Wriddhiman Saha only got the chance to play one Test match with veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni. However, this did not stop Saha from showing praises over the former Team India skipper's qualities.

During a recent interview with a popular news outlet, Saha claimed didn't replace MS Dhoni in the Indian Test side but instead got a chance to play more frequently after his retirement.

The 35-year old then went to explain how MS's presence never demotivated him instead, he tried learning from the veteran cricketer.

"His keeping or batting style, his stumping in fraction of seconds, there are a lot of things to learn. He 2-4 years older to me, I was knowing that if MS Dhoni is playing I will not get to play," he said.

Source: DNA

Shikhar Dhawan Picks MS Dhoni As His Favourite Captain

Shikhar Dhawan on Wednesday picked MS Dhoni as his favourite captain. Dhawan revealed this during a rapid-fire round with former Indian bowler Irfan Pathan on an Instagram Live video session. 

"I have only played under Virat and Dhoni, so, as of now, Dhoni bhai," Shikhar Dhawan said in the video. 

Source: NDTVSports 

MS Dhoni started India’s fitness revolution: English Coach Peter Wellings

The name Peter Wellings may not ring a bell immediately, but when it comes to defining new-age sports coaching and how little things like attention-to-detail matter, the Englishman is right at the forefront of it.

"MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli changed the landscape of Indian fielding," Wellings says in an exclusive chat. MS Dhoni started the fielding revolution in Indian cricket, especially after England won a Test series 2-1 in India in 2012. England were much better in the field and Dhoni was really crossed because guys were stopping the ball with their feet and stuff. So he said 'right, we're going to change the culture.'

"And now just look how strong India have become. They've got the best white-ball batsman in the world; they have the best white-ball bowler in the world. And arguably, you've got the best fielder in the world in Ravindra Jadeja. Him and Stokes are probably the two best in the world right now."

Source: HT

Michael Hussey compares MS Dhoni with Ricky Ponting

Former Australia player Michael Hussey feels former India skipper MS Dhoni strategically reads the game slightly better than Australia's World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting.

Michael Hussey was part of Australia squad which won three ICC tournaments the 2007 World Cup and the 2006 and 2009 Champions Trophy under Ponting and also played a key role in MS Dhoni led CSK's IPL success.

"If we had the worst nets in the world that we have to practice on, he (Ricky Pointing) will be the first one into the net and show that it's okay. He really leads from the front and he certainly backs his players 100%. That's probably where the similarity is with MS Dhoni," Hussey added.

"MS is a lot calmer. A lot more measured. And I would say he strategically reads the game slightly better than Ricky. Ricky was a good tactician as well. Fantastic, but the way MS makes some moves out there in the field, I'll be sort of thinking "where’s he going with this?” Inevitably it might work. How did this come from? He just backs his gut feel. Two different captains but both very effective in their own ways," Hussey explained.

Source: India Today

Matthew Hayden Recalls MS Dhoni's Reaction on Controversial Mongoose Bat

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden created a new sensation, when he first introduced the ‘mongoose bat’ in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a decade ago.

The Mongoose bat comes with a long handle and a short, bottom-heavy blade, tailor made for the shortest format. Designed and manufactured by the British company Mongoose, this was one of the innovations that accompanied the inception of cricket’s shortest format, the T20. Its handle is 43 per cent longer, and the blade is one-third the size of regular blades, thus allowing for maximum attack with minimum effort.

Many experts felt that it would take a lot of time to get accustomed to the changed size and bat speed. Added the fact that it was virtually impossible to use this bat in Tests or even ODIs, the bat found few takers on the international front. This is the reason why the invention that created much ado in 2010, disappeared without noise in merely a year or two. It’s brand ambassador Matthew Hayden did not play an IPL after that year, and the bat didn’t find other volunteers willing to experiment.

In a recent chapter on CSK’s live interaction with presenter Rupha Ramani, Hayden recalled an incident when team skipper MS Dhoni was skeptical about the use of it.

“It’s hard to give perpsective on the mongoose bat. I get a lot of questions about this product. From player’s point of view, they often ask how can you use half a bat. I remember MS Dhoni saying, ‘mate, I will give you anything in life you want not to use this bat. Please do not use this bat’,” Hayden revealed. 

Hayden, however, then assured his captain that he’s confident about the striking power of the bat and had done his homework pretty well.

More: IE 

Australia Keeper Alex Carey Keen to Emulate MS Dhoni’s Path

In a recent Instagram Live chat, Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey expressed his admiration for the legendary Indian glovesman and spoke about how he’s keen to finish off games for Australia, akin to how Dhoni has done for Team India in the past.

“If you ask any cricketer, they would love to play like MS Dhoni. He’s probably the best at that role. I’d love to become half as good as him,” the 29-year-old Carey said

Carey also spoke about emulating the former Indian captain’s finishing skill. “I’d love to have the calm to take it deep and finish off T20, ODI games for Australia and even in the BBL. It was pretty hard to play against him since he would never get out, but yes I’d love to become half as good as him.”

Source: CT

Footballer Anirudh Thapa Praises MS Dhoni

Indian footballer Anirudh Thapa, during a live session, talked about former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Chennaiyin FC midfielder lauded MS Dhoni for his humble personality and hailed his cricket career. 

"He's my favourite cricketer. He led the Indian team, won the World Cup after 28 years.. all-time successful wicketkeeper-batsman! What can I say about him!" Thapa began.

"The good thing about him is that whenever he's around, he would always sit with us at the team lunch and share his experiences with us. He's a very down to earth guy. Whenever someone used to call him, he was like 'no, let me talk to the boys here'. He used to talk about his cricket journey, his struggles, what he did and where he is."

"He would tell us about the feeling when they won the world cup (in 2011). That is something I will always embrace. He is a nice guy and a humble man. Whenever he is around, he is always talking to the boys. 

"Whatever he has done, how successful he is, we can all see that. So hats off to you, Thala!"

Source: ITV

Yuzvendra Chahal Misses MS Dhoni

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, on Sunday, shared a throwback picture with 'legend' Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying that he misses 'being called tilli from behind the stumps'.

Chahal took to Twitter to share a picture with Dhoni and captioned the post: "Miss being called tilli from behind the stumps by the legend..!!"

Source: Rediff

Rishabh Pant Praises MS Dhoni, Calls him His Mentor

Calling MS Dhoni his mentor, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant says the World Cup-winning skipper has his own way of helping the younger crop as he never provides a full solution to a problem, encouraging them to look for answers.

"He (Dhoni) has been like a mentor to me, on and off the field. I can approach him freely with any problem I may be facing, and he will never give me the entire solution for it," Pant said in an Instagram live session with his IPL team Delhi Capitals.

"This is so that I don't become entirely dependent on him, he gives me hints only that helps me solve the issue myself. He's also one of my favourite batting partners, though it's not something that happens too often.

"If Mahi bhai is at the crease, you know things are sorted. He's got a plan in his head, and all you need to do is follow it!"

Source: NDTV

S Badrinath on MS Dhoni’s Mental Toughness

Subramaniam Badrinath who has launched a mental conditioning platform explains what makes the Chennai Super Kings skipper so strong mentally.

"For me, the epitome of mind skills training is MS Dhoni. Whenever I saw him with his captaincy, the way he approaches the game. I think he is the ultimate, the one guy who does not need any mind skill training. I think people can learn from him because he has maximised his potential into results. Whatever he is doing I think he is totally detached. That’s what helps him as well", said Badrinath. 

"We talk about pressure, media, what people are going to write, we talk about everything. He is not bothered about anything else. He completely believes that whatever he is doing is right. That is the approach everybody needs to have. I would like to say that just do what Dhoni is doing as a cricketer. He is totally detached from everything automatically. When he is going out there, going about the business, it feels as though the 50,000 people watching him are not there. He is alone, he knows clearly in his mind what he needs to do, and he goes about it", said Badrinath. 

Source: Indian Express