Most of the cricket fans know the impact Mahendra Singh Dhoni has on bowlers. While standing behind the stumps, Dhoni is not only able to judge the fielding placements, but also be able to analyse the game on real-time basis whilst providing effective advice to the bowlers. One of those bowlers is Yuzvendra Chahal.
Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been seen in action in the limited-overs cricket. However, in times of difficulty, they have always turned to Dhoni.
In a recent interview with Times of India, Chahal spoke about how MSD puts his hands around his shoulders and tells him what to do in order to dismiss the opposite batsmen.
“Mahi bhai is one the best and greatest players India has produced. He has helped me and Kuldeep during matches. Some times, a batsman hits me for boundaries and then he comes, puts his hands around my shoulder and says ‘isko googly daal, ye nahi khel payega’ (Bowl him a googly, he will not be able to play). Tips from him really works well in the team’s favour,” Chahal told timesofindia.com.
“This has happened so many times. In South Africa, when I took my first five-for. JP Duminy was batting at that time. I wanted to dismiss him. Mahi bhai came to me and said ‘isko seedha stump to stump daal’ (Just bowl straight to him – stump to stump). He went back behind the stumps and shouted again – ‘tilli, isko dande pe hi rakhna’ (Just bowl straight to him). I followed his instructions. Duminy tried to sweep but got out lbw,” recalled Chahal.
The right-handed leg breaker also shared another incident where the former Indian captain’s advice helped him to sweep off New Zealand batsman Tom Latham swiftly.
“In New Zealand, Tom Latham was batting and was continuously playing sweep shots. I tried googlies and leg spins but those didn’t work out against him. He was hitting me for boundaries. I was really disappointed. Mahi bhai came to me and said ‘line change mat karna, isko aage daal aur stumps pe rakhna’ (Don’t change your line. Pitch the ball up to him and keep it on the stumps). Latham was out off the very next ball. I hugged Mahi bhai after that dismissal,” the 29-year-old told explained.
Yuzvendra Chahal was last seen in action in an ODI series against New Zealand in February 2020. The Indian cricket team has been on a break due to the coronavirus pandemic outburst.
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