Former India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni has left a massive impact on the game with his leadership. He is the only skipper in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies – 2007 World T20, 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.
Under Dhoni’s captaincy, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin among others unleased their potential at the highest level and went on to establish themselves as the superstars of Indian cricket.
Not only the Indian players, but many international stars also took their game to the next level while playing under Dhoni in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Dhoni, who led CSK to five IPL titles, stepped down as captain before the start of the IPL 2024 season last week, handing the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, the 42-year-old still remains a leader and an inspirational figure for the Chennai players.
Fans got a glimpse of the same during CSK's IPL 2024 match against Gujarat Titans at Chepauk on Tuesday (March 26).
During the game, Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana touched Dhoni's feet before starting bowling and the latter then blessed the young pacer.
Earlier, CSK’s new recruit also credited MS Dhoni after playing an impactful cameo in his maiden IPL innings, saying that the former skipper advised him to play his natural game when he went out to bat against GT.
Sameer Rizvi came out to bat at No. 6 in the penultimate over of CSK’s innings. Facing his first ball in the IPL, the 20-year-old smashed star spinner Rashid Khan for a huge six over deep backward square leg. Two deliveries later, he danced down the track to hit another maximum over lone-off.
In the final over, Mohit Sharma dismissed Rizvi but not before the youngster returned with 14 off 6 balls.
"Dhoni bhai told me just one thing. How you have been playing till now, that's the game. You just need to play like that. There's nothing different. The skill is the same and the mindset may be a little different. So whenever you're playing, don't feel the pressure.
"Just play according to the situation. Then you won't feel the pressure. Then you won't be nervous. Obviously, it's your first game, so you would be nervous. But just play how you have been playing till now," said Rizvi while speaking to IPL's website.
Sameer Rizvi further added that meeting MS Dhoni was his dream and he was over the moon after being picked by CSK in the IPL 2024 auction.
"When I was picked by CSK during the IPL auction I was very happy. It was a dream of mine to meet MS Dhoni. Playing with him was something I hadn't thought of, but meeting him was a dream. Now that dream has been fulfilled and I'm getting to play alongside him. We have had a lot of net sessions together, and I have a learned lot from him. I have learned from the coaching staff as well. So That's my aim to learn as much as possible from this team," he remarked.
