India’s former skipper MS Dhoni is arguably the best wicketkeeper in the history of the game. His awareness behind the stumps coupled with his unorthodox and out of the box skills behind the wickets makes things very difficult for the opposite teams batsmen.
MS Dhoni was at his best again as Team India defeated Australia in the first ODI of the 5 match series at the Chepauk on 17th September.
From making the field changes to guiding the bowlers, Dhoni was the virtual skipper on the field.
After rain interrupted the match, Australia was given a revised target of 164 to chase from 21 overs.
The visitors didn’t get off to a good start but their all-rounder Glenn Maxwell threatened to take the game away from Virat Kohli & Co.
And it was Dhoni who kept advising wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as they erred in length.
Kuldeep, who dismissed the ever threatening David Warner, during the post-match show on Star Sports, revealed how Dhoni told him to bowl against the Australian opener.
Meanwhile, stump mic also caught Dhoni dishing out some gems to the young bowlers.
“Woh maarane waala daal naa; andar yaa baahar koi bhi (Bowl the one where he tries to hit, turning in or away, anything is fine)”.
“Ghumane waala daal ghumane waala (Bowl the one that turns)” when Chahal and Kuldeep operated.
Dhoni was clearly not amused when Maxwell went after Kuldeep, smashing 3 massive sixes and a four to score 22 runs in an over.
“Stump pe mat dal (don’t bowl in the line of the stumps)” and “Arre baahar daal, isko itna aage nahi (bowl wider (outside the off stump) and not this full)” was caught on stump mic as Kuldeep erred.
Then, it was Chahal’s turn to get some Dhoni tips.
Dhoni said, “Tu bhi nahin sunta hai kya (You also won’t listen)?” to “Aise, aise dalo (bowl it like this).”
Later Chahal eventually had the better off Maxwell as he threw one wide to end Maxwell’s innings after the Australian batsman was caught at the long-on by Manish Pandey.
