'MS Dhoni told me…,' Tushar Deshpande recalls inspiring words by former India captain

Tushar Deshpande said MS Dhoni told him to focus on his fitness.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Tushar Deshpande has recalled crucial advice by the legendary MS Dhoni that the former CSK told him he must follow to succeed in international cricket.

The 29-year-old Deshpande had picked up 17 wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 edition while playing for five-time champions CSK. The Chennai speedster had a decent economy of 8.83 during the IPL 2024.

After performing well in the IPL 2024, the 29-year-old Deshpande made his T20I debut for the Indian side during the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in July 2024. Deshpande played T20Is against Zimbabwe and scalped two wickets.

In Chennai’s title victory in IPL 2023, Deshpande played a huge role with the ball, taking 21 wickets in 16 matches.

You have everything to succeed at international level: Tushar Deshpande recalls MS Dhoni’s words

Recently, the right-arm speedster Deshpande revealed the encouraging words from former Indian captain Dhoni. The 29-year-old added that Dhoni told him not to get distracted by the crowd during his run-up.

“Dhoni told me: You have everything to succeed at international level. But you have to be calm during your run-up. Don’t get distracted by the crowd. Just take a deep breath, stay calm and bowl.’ If Mahi tells you that you have everything to be successful at international level, boss, that itself is an achievement,” Deshpande said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

Dhoni said to focus on fitness: Tushar Deshpande

Deshpande also cited an example where wicket-keeper batter Dhoni’s words made a huge impact on his planning and execution during a match. The 29-year-old further revealed that Dhoni strongly suggested he focus on his fitness, which is important for a fast bowler.

“I was bowling good yorkers, but suddenly I bowled a bouncer and got hit for a 100-metre six. He asked me: ‘Kyun daala bouncer?’ [Why did you bowl the bouncer?] I told him I thought he was expecting the yorker. He told me: Don’t play cricket in the mind,” Deshpande said.

“He was telling me we keep trying to play ahead of the game instead of staying in the present. The other thing he told me is to focus on my fitness, which is important for fast bowlers,” Deshpande added.

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