IPL 2022: “In reality he always keeps guiding me”- Simarjeet Singh on learning from MS Dhoni

Simarjeet Singh made his IPL debut for CSK in IPL 2022.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) couldn’t do well in the recent IPL 2022, but they did unearth some potential talents from their reserves who might continue to serve them in the future. CSK finished 9^th on the points table with just 4 wins in 14 matches.

CSK was handed a big blow before the IPL 2022 when Deepak Chahar was ruled out for the first half of the tournament due to his quad injury and then later ruled out of the tournament altogether due to a back injury. On top of that, their foreign pacer, New Zealand’s Adam Milne also got injured after one match and flew back home.  

This meant the IPL 2021 winners had to dig deep into their reservoirs to find replacement pacers and found a gem in Simarjeet Singh.

24-year-old Simarjeet made his IPL debut this season taking four wickets in the six matches he played with a best of 2/27 and an economy of 7.6. In an interview with CSK TV, Simarjeet talked about things he learned from CSK captain MS Dhoni during the IPL 2022.

PICS: Deepak Chahar’s India and CSK teammates attend his wedding reception

"Overall it's Mahi bhai. I learnt how to be calm in pressure situations from Mahi (Dhoni) bhai. Watching him on the television is a different thing as one does not know what happens after we finish an over. In reality he always keeps guiding me and pushes me to do better. Mahi bhai told me I bowled well. I can keep listening to his words forever," Simarjeet told CSK TV.

The skiddy pacer, who plays for Delhi in domestic cricket and was bought by CSK for INR 20 lakhs in the auction, further talked about the nervousness before his debut against SRH.

"I was telling everyone that I was not nervous in the first game against SRH. But in reality, I was extremely nervous during that game. When I entered the stadium for the first time, it felt super different with the crowds being back in the stands. There's a lot of difference between sitting on the bench and being a part of the playing eleven. From the outside, I didn't feel the pressure as such.

I don't want to think about the result. I only want to think about the game, which game gets me better. So, I kept thinking about how I can always give my hundred per cent. Results are not in my hand, what is to happen will happen. I was trying just to stay on my skills first. I was only focusing on showcasing my best skillset," said Simarjeet.

Here is the interview:

(IANS inputs)