Shardul Thakur, India, and CSK seamer has revealed how legend MS Dhoni prepares players to think on their own and ready themselves for his retirement. Shardul Thakur has played for CSK in IPL 2024 and before that itself under MS Dhoni.
Shardul has previously played under MS Dhoni's leadership at Chennai Super Kings, and when he returned to Chepauk, the great wicketkeeper relinquished the captaincy but remains an important member of the team.
Dhoni is regarded as one of cricket's brightest minds, as he is one of the few wicketkeepers who can assist his bowlers from behind the stumps. He reads the game beautifully, regularly communicates with the bowlers, and reveals his strategy for getting the better of the batters in the middle.
Shardul asserted that Dhoni never spoon-fed the players and pushed the players to prepare their plans to get them ready for a time when he retires from all forms of cricket.
"Playing with him has always been special because he allows us to grow. He allows us to come up with our plan. So he will never spoon-feed us. He will say, 'Tomorrow I might not be available behind the wickets. What will you do? Go back to your room, think about your game, and come up with your plans, if it doesn't work then I will intervene,'" Shardul said at an event hosted by IISM.
Shardul went on to discuss Dhoni's legacy, pointing out how the iconic skipper supported players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during difficult times as they rose to prominence.
"The legacy that he has left behind, three ICC Trophies, grooming so many youngsters. Even the current greats I would say, Virat, and Rohit, everyone in their life had a time where they could have been dropped. But the great MS Dhoni backed them and what they did after 2012 onwards up until now," Thakur said.
MS Dhoni last played for CSK in IPL 2024. There is no clarity on his participation in IPL 2025. Dhoni has stated that he will only take a call after retention rules are finalized by IPL GC and his decision will be for the benefit of the CSK franchise.
