MS Dhoni is undoubtedly one of India’s finest cricket captains in history. The Ranchi-born wicket-keeper batsman has given the country two World Cups – World T20 in 2007 and 50-over World Cup in 2011 – and has taken the team to new heights with his leadership. Taking over the reigns from Sourav Ganguly, Dhoni has had his style of captaincy and former Indian speedster Laxmipath Balaji gave his insights as to how Mahi has his own way of helping a bowler develop. Citing the examples of previous seasons, Subramaniam Badrinath said that he won’t be surprised if the current crop of young bowlers at Chennai Super Kings go on to take the next step in their development under MSD’s leadership in the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
On the sidelines of a promotional event at Don Bosco school in Chennai, Balaji was accompanied by Ambati Rayudu and S Badrinath. The trio gave insights into their understanding of Dhoni’s captaincy style and Badrinath even said that it won’t be a surprise if Dhoni goes on to hone more talented young pacers at CSK this season.
“MS Dhoni has the capabilities to produce (talented) cricketers. Someone like a Gony or Mohit, they went on to become the cricketers they were and it was MS who produced such cricketers. I wouldn’t be surprised if MS produces such cricketers again. He analyses and assigns them specific roles and that is what makes MS standout as a leader. He identifies these cricketers, persists with them and ends up producing them,” Badrinath was quoted as saying by TOI.
CSK have some very fine pace bowlers in the form of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi and Mark Wood, with Badrinath of the opinion that they can develop like former CSK players Manpreet Goni and Mohit Sharma.
Almost every single captain is seen in constant conversation whenever a rookie bowler comes up, but that isn’t the style of Dhoni, who lets them be their own in charge. Balaji – the newly appointed CSK bowling coach, who has played for the franchise under Dhoni himself, compared his leadership with the art of swimming by self-learning after being pushed into the water by the teacher.
“MS Dhoni doesn’t involve much and only when a bowler is really thrown into a corner he takes over. He will give you challenges and let you be in your space to understand them. He will not compel a bowler to do something which is not the bowler’s style. That I have experienced as a player. On the field, you will be handled by one of the greatest captains. Dhoni will give you the freedom. Apart from that, you will learn to swim on your own under Dhoni’s leadership,” Balaji said.
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