Chennai Super Kings’ bowling consultant, Eric Simmons, unveiled Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s pivotal role as the blueprint for their death bowling tactics. Simmons disclosed that strategies that effectively countered Dhoni during training sessions translated seamlessly into match scenarios.
Dhoni’s explosive cameo, slamming three consecutive sixes off Mumbai Indians’ skipper Hardik Pandya in the final over, clinched victory for CSK by a 20-run margin, propelling them to third place in the IPL standings.
Eric Simmons said: “They’re looking at restricting us to under 200 and then they’re suddenly facing 206 with an over like that. Every time — we live close to him — he continues to amaze us. To go out there and hit the first ball like that for six and then continue the way he does.
“But he has been batting exceptionally well in the nets…just another unbelievable MS Dhoni moment.”
Despite Dhoni’s ongoing struggle with a knee injury, Simmons commended his courageous resilience, noting his stoic demeanor amidst discomfort. While praising Matheesha Pathirana’s stellar performance (4/28), Simmons also hailed Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur as the unsung heroes.
Simmons further added: “His calmness at the wicket… we use him as a batting template when we’re bowling at the death, the pre-season because he’s so good at it. If we can test out our theories against him, then we know we’re going to do well.”
“Everyone else is more interested in his injuries than he is. He’s one of the hardest men I’ve ever come across. I don’t even think we know to what extent he may or may not be in pain. He just carries on and does his thing.”
“I’m sure there’s some niggles. He just has that ability to ignore what it is and do what needs to be done. We’re more concerned about his injuries. When I say we, I mean the public (which) is more concerned about his injuries than he is.”
However, he called for clarification on the wide rule in cricket, emphasizing the need for more precise regulations. In essence, Simmons underscored Dhoni’s multifaceted influence, not only as a batsman but also as a strategic benchmark shaping CSK’s bowling dynamics, with his recent exploits amplifying his significance within the team.
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