For any young player coming off the ranks, interacting and playing with legendary players becomes of the utmost importance. It gives them the clarity as to how to go about their business. And the Indian Premier League (IPL) plays an important role in all this. Before IPL 2025, Tamil Nadu pacer Gurjapneet Singh was picked by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK); even though he was replaced due to an injury, he had discussions with MS Dhoni.
Gurjapneet Singh “Learns” for MS Dhoni
The towering pacer revealed the tips MS Dhoni gave him to read the batter and bowl according to the field. “Bowling to Dhoni is a very good challenge, because he is the best finisher of his time,” said Gurjapneet. “I have learnt so many points from him, how to read the batsman. He gave me tips, where you have to bowl according to the field. The IPL experience is totally different from other levels; other leagues are different,” he told RevSportz.
He further explained the intricacies of the game, which he came to understand during his stint at the CSK.
“He told about how the batsman would charge at you in the middle overs, death overs, or the new ball. So, at that time, what field you have to keep according to the batsman’s strength. Last season, I learnt a lot of things with CSK.”
Troubled Virat Kohli in Nets
In fact, just before his first-class debut for the state, he managed to bowl in the nets to Virat Kohli as well, who was then preparing for the Bangladesh series. There, not only did he beat him a few times, but he also bowled him.
“We were practising; I was bowling well, he got beaten again and again, then I got his wicket… bowled. After the practice, he was very impressed with my bowling. After that, we had a chat. He said, ‘You can use these kinds of small things – bowling from over the stumps, bowling round the stumps, again.’ I said, ‘Okay, I will keep working on it, keeping these things in my mind,’” he added.
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