Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has opened up on playing under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Thakur, who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, revealed how Dhoni backs players to work on their plans, to get the best out of them.

Dhoni is regarded as one of the best captains of all time in the limited-overs format. The former CSK skipper also led the franchise to glory on five occasions under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur didn’t have a great run in IPL 2024, taking five wickets in nine matches at an average of 38 and an economy rate of 9.75.

Shardul Thakur said at an event, hosted by IISM, “Playing with him has always been special because he allows us to grow. He allows us to come up with our own 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.’”

Thakur also spoke on MS Dhoni’s captaincy legacy as the former Indian skipper led the team to three major ICC titles – the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

“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 at the same event.

Meanwhile, Dhoni has not opened up on his IPL future and recently revealed he will take a call depending on the tournament’s new retention rules.