"Tomorrow i might not be there behind wickets…" Shardul Thakur reveals how MS Dhoni plans with bowlers

Shardul Thakur has played under MS Dhoni at CSK.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and India all-rounder Shardul Thakur opened up about the learnings from his former CSK captain MS Dhoni. Shardul played for CSK in IPL 2024 and previously had played for the franchise for 3 seasons under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.

He asserted that the renowned wicket-keeper batsman let bowlers to make their own plans.

While Dhoni is regarded as a superb tactician, Thakur said that the former Indian captain lets his bowlers to devise a strategy and then attempt to execute it. If it doesn’t work, Dhoni uses his experience to attempt to make the best of the situation.

“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,” Shardul said at an event.

Thakur further asserted that if Dhoni’s plans do not succeed, there is always ‘God’s plan,’ implying that fate plays a role.

Shardul Thakur praises MS Dhoni for his legacy; namedrops Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma  

Shardul Thakur was also praiseful for MS Dhoni for leaving behind a rich legacy. Dhoni remains the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball trophies. He won the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.

Apart from this, Dhoni also won the IPL five times for Chennai Super Kings and the defunct Champions League T20 twice for the yellow franchise.

Shardul also lauded the way Dhoni backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma when they were down and aided them in becoming legends in their own right.

“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 added.

Dhoni’s participation in the next edition of the IPL depends on what retention rules the BCCI finalizes.

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