MS Dhoni, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), is more than just a player – he’s a source of inspiration for his team’s bowling strategies, according to CSK’s bowling consultant, Eric Simmons. Former India bowling coach also revealed that MS Dhoni is injured and playing through pain in Indian Premier League (IPL 2024).
MS Dhoni: Batting Template for Death Bowling
Simmons revealed a unique approach: CSK uses MS Dhoni himself as a “batting template” when devising death-over bowling strategies. If a bowler can outsmart Dhoni in the nets, it becomes a strong indicator of success against opposing batsmen in actual matches.
This strategy proved its worth recently when Dhoni came out to bat for the final four balls of CSK’s innings against Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite battling a knee injury, Dhoni’s power and experience were on full display. He smashed the first three balls for sixes, adding a crucial 26 runs to CSK’s total in the final over bowled by MI captain Hardik Pandya.
Dhoni’s late blitz proved to be the turning point, propelling CSK to a 20-run victory and securing the third position in the IPL points table.
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MS Dhoni Injured
While celebrating Dhoni’s on-field heroics, Simmons also shed light on the cricketer’s silent struggles. He admitted that MS Dhoni has been battling a knee injury but has chosen to soldier on, refusing to let the pain hinder his performance.
“Everyone else is more interested in his injuries than he is. He’s one of the hardest men I’ve ever come across. I don’t even think we know to what extent he may or may not be in pain. He just carries on and does his thing,” Simmons said in post-match press conference, highlighting Dhoni’s unwavering dedication.
“I’m sure there’s some niggles. He just has that ability to ignore what it is and do what needs to be done. We’re more concerned about his injuries. When I say we, I mean the public (which) is more concerned about his injuries than he is,” he added.
Dhoni’s grit and determination to play through pain serve as a true inspiration, not just for his team but for cricket fans worldwide.
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