Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is relishing his time under MS Dhoni's fantastic leadership for Chennai Super Kings, and he says executing the on-field plans which Dhoni remarkably comes up with has actually helped him achieve huge success in the Indian Premier League this year.
Tahir on Sunday (April 14) helped CSK win yet another match in IPL 2019, against Kolkata Knight Riders, by scalping four wickets during his excellent four-over spell of 4/27. He was deserving awarded "Player-of-the-Match".
"I just bowled according to the captain's instructions," said Tahir at the post-match press conference. "It's always beneficial taking advice from Dhoni. He's helping me a lot. It's an absolute pleasure and the credit goes to him."
Tahir, who is now joint leading wicket-taker of IPL 2019 with Delhi Capitals' Kagiso Rabada, added, "There are few things which he tells me like where I need to bowl, which area and where the guy is going to hit. It's working and I'm just loving it. We are playing good cricket. We respect each other and enjoy each other's success."
"Those were small things. He tells me like this guy is trying to hit in this area so I bowl accordingly. I am an attacking spinner and want to take wickets and he allows me to bowl that way."
CSK's biggest threat on the day was an in-form Andre Russell, who kickstarted his innings again in dominating fashion by smashing away a boundary and six, but Tahir got him out immediately thereafter. Russell finished with only 10 runs - his first less than 40-run knock in this IPL.
"I could have bowled two more dot balls to him (Russell) or one run to him," said Tahir. "But I wanted to take the challenge and wanted to get him out as simple as that. He hit me for four and a six which was fine. In the end, I got his wicket which was very important for the team more than personal achievement. He's such a good player especially at the death so it's a pleasure to get him out."
After this IPL, Tahir will fly to England and Wales to play his last ODI assignment - the ICC Cricket World Cup - for South Africa from May 30 onwards. And the 40-year-old reckons his time in India will definitely help.
"I decided not to play after the World Cup, purely to give the opportunity to youngsters," he added. "I don't want to retire I love the game and have a lot of respect and passion for the game."
"It's not that I'm not given contract but more to give the opportunity to the youngsters. I'm grateful to CSA they are the one who gave me the opportunity and I'm here today."
Tahir will continue playing T20 Internationals for the Proteas.
"In this league, you play against the top players in the world. I'm not going to get them if I am bowling at the nets. I am really grateful to IPL and CSA to give me the opportunity," he concluded.
(Inputs from PTI)
