Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has left a massive impact on the game with his leadership and performances in pressure situations.

Not only the Indian players, but cricketers from around the world aspire to play under his captaincy in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Among the many lucky players, star Australia batter Steve Smith is also the one who has the privilege of playing under Dhoni at Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG).

Back in 2016, Smith turned up for the now-defunct RPSG, which was led by Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were banned from the cash-rich tournament for two years.

In 2017, however, RPSG think tank appointed Smith as the captain of the team over Dhoni. The move nearly paid off as the Aussie cricketer led the franchise to the final, where they lost to Mumbai Indians by just one run.

Ahead of the IPL 2023 season, starting March 31, Steve Smith recalled how Dhoni helped him in every possible way in the 2017 edition.

“Of course, he’s been able to achieve so much over such a long period of time, he’s going to go down as one of the best leaders to play the game for sure. So, when I got the call to say that they wanted me to captain, it was a little bit daunting. But that season, MSD was just wonderful. He helped in any way that he could and, he’s a terrific guy. It was a great experience being able to captain him, but also very daunting as well,” Smith told Star Sports.

“I didn’t really know what to expect initially. MS had captained every team he played for, obviously throughout the IPL with Chennai, every season should I say. But when they came and asked me, I was a little bit shocked first, and then I didn’t really know what to say. It was like, have you spoken to MS about this? This is a little bit strange from my side, but after we sorted everything out, MS was just wonderful. And the way he helped me and helped guide that team that year was incredible. And yeah, I couldn’t thank him enough.

“He was someone that I was bouncing ideas off. Being behind the stumps, he’s got a great, great view of the game. He understands the angles really well and obviously playing in India also, you know, it’s his home and he understands those conditions as well as anyone would. So, I would’ve been stupid if I wasn’t trying to get as much knowledge as I could out of him in the middle. And he was very helpful and certainly helped us achieve what we did that year,” he added.

Smith has joined the expert panel of commentators for IPL 2023 and he will be sharing his invaluable insights during the marquee event.

Talking about the biggest learning he has been able to emulate while being around Dhoni, Smith said: “I think just the calmness that MS shows, we saw it throughout his career, just how calm he was. It didn’t look like he was flustered by any emotions or anything like that. And that’s certainly something that I’ve taken in not just in that season, but just watching him go about his business in the prior years, just how calm and relaxed he was. At times I can get quite agitated and things like that. So, I have to try and keep myself as calm and as sort of level-headed as I can. And yeah, that’s certainly something that I learned off of MS.”