Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has shed light on how MS Dhoni helps him in bowling. Dhoni is known to stay ahead of the opposition batsman and has a perfect plan for almost every batsman. As Dhoni has all the experience in the world, the wicket-keeper batsman knows about the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition batsmen.
Consequently, Dhoni passes on the useful insights to his spinner and helps them in getting better of the batsman. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have gained a lot from the same and have helped India achieve great success in the limited-overs format.
Dhoni’s guidance can be heard in the stump mic when he tells the spinner what can be done against a particular batsman. In fact, on most of the occasions, Dhoni’s plans work wonders for the bowlers and the team. Dhoni also helps the team’s bowlers in setting up the field according to the situation and the batsman.
“Mahi bhai is one the best and greatest players India has produced. He has helped me and Kuldeep during matches. Some times, a batsman hits me for boundaries and then he comes, puts his hands around my shoulder and says ‘isko googly daal, ye nahi khel payega’ (Bowl him a googly, he will not be able to play),” said Yuzvendra Chahal while talking to Times of India.
Chahal revealed that when the Indian captain Virat Kohli fields outside the 30-yard circle in the fag end of the innings, he turns to Dhoni for the advice.
“After 40 overs, Virat bhaiya fields at the boundary and you need someone to teach you and guide you. Sometimes, I look at Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) and he gets to know from my body language that I want to ask something or have some confusion. He comes to me and resolves those issues,” Chahal added.
Both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have done a fine job for the Indian team as both of them have bowled with aplomb. The senior players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have given confidence to the wrist spinners to help them grow in stature. However, since Dhoni has not played for the national team in the last one year, the team has dearly missed his services.
Chahal is always looking to hunt for wickets and it is his biggest quality as a spinner. The 29-year old is never afraid to go for the runs and he keeps pitching the ball in the right areas.
Meanwhile, Chahal has scalped 91 wickets in 52 matches at an average of 25.83 whereas he has snared 55 wickets in 42 T20I matches. However, he is yet to make his Test debut.