At 43, MS Dhoni continues to defy age and expectations, remaining an indispensable drive behind the stumps for Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Recognized for his lightning-fast reflexes and unmatched recreation consciousness, Dhoni pulled off one more gorgeous stumping in CSK’s season opener towards Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23. Regardless of stepping away from worldwide cricket in 2020, Dhoni’s presence on the sector stays essential, each as a wicketkeeper and as a strategist guiding his workforce.
Now, in a candid dialog on JioHotstar’s ‘MS Dhoni Expertise’, the legendary keeper shared his insights on why he nonetheless prefers to be behind the stumps, downplayed his unbelievable catches, and even addressed questions on his future in IPL.
MS Dhoni on his position within the workforce
Dhoni, recognized for his sharp cricketing thoughts, emphasised that being behind the stumps is the place he reads the sport finest. From judging pitch habits to assessing a bowler’s rhythm, Dhoni defined that wicketkeeping permits him to investigate match conditions in real-time and supply essential inputs to the captain.
“It’s a problem, and that’s what makes it attention-grabbing. If I’m not wicketkeeping, I believe I’m ineffective on the sector. That’s the place I learn the sport in the absolute best method. I’ve to be actually near the motion—to see how the bowler is bowling, how the wicket is behaving, and what adjustments have to be made,” Dhoni mentioned.
Dhoni additional elaborated that his positioning behind the stumps helps differentiate between unhealthy deliveries being punished and good deliveries being hit for runs—one thing that even the bowlers may wrestle to investigate instantly.
“Within the first six overs with the brand new ball, the wicket behaves otherwise. After that, has it modified or it stays the identical, all these items, once I’m proper behind the stump, I’m in a greater place to guage what actually is going on after which to convey to the captain as to that is what is going on, whether or not it’s a foul supply that has gone for a 6 or it’s an excellent supply that the batsman has hit for a 6. I can differentiate between the 2 once I’m behind the stumps,” the 43-year-old mentioned.
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Dhoni on his wicketkeeping expertise
When proven a clip from IPL 2024 the place he took a diving catch towards Gujarat Titans, Dhoni dismissed the hype, humorously calling it a fluke. Regardless of downplaying his personal efforts, the fact stays that Dhoni’s agility and fast reflexes proceed to set him aside from youthful keepers within the league. His easy stumping of Suryakumar Yadav within the MI recreation was one more reminder of his enduring brilliance.
“It’s a fluke. In case you intently monitor it, it appears like a sack of rice falling from the again of a truck. The entire thing is that if we will attain with two palms, I’ve all the time been a fan of attempting to take catches with two palms, and it helps. So it all the time feels good if you happen to can contribute like this. However I’m not anyone who you’d see dive round lots or to take these, you already know, nice catches, one-handed nice catches. I’m fairly a safekeeper. I prefer to maintain it that,” the previous CSK captain added.
Dhoni on his IPL future for CSK
For years, followers have speculated about when MS Dhoni will retire from the IPL, however the CSK legend himself stays unbothered by the fixed chatter. Talking forward of CSK’s conflict towards MI, Dhoni playfully addressed his dedication to the franchise.
“I can play for so long as I need for CSK. That’s my franchise. Even when I’m in a wheelchair, they’ll drag me,” Dhoni concluded.
With one win already within the bag, CSK will subsequent face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28. As all the time, all eyes will likely be on MS Dhoni – not only for his glove work but in addition for his sharp captaincy insights that proceed to form CSK’s success. At 43, Dhoni may not be the identical swashbuckling hitter from his prime, however his presence behind the stumps stays as influential as ever. Whether or not it’s by way of his recreation consciousness, lightning-quick dismissals, or tactical brilliance, MS Dhoni is much from performed – and as he says himself, CSK gained’t let him retire anytime quickly!