Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Tushar Deshpande recounted MS Dhoni‘s motivational words before the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite facing challenges early in his career, the right-arm pacer made a significant impact for the team in securing their fifth title and established himself as a key member of the bowling squad.
Due to multiple player injuries like Ben Stokes Deepak Chahar Sisanda Magala Simarjeet Singh Mukesh Choudhary etc., it was a big loss for Chennai Super Kings’ pace department when IPL season commenced in 2023 season. Consequently, he had to lead some young players such as Rajvardhan Hangargekar Matheesha Pathirana and Akash Singh.
Deshpande stepped up by taking 21 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 9.92. Deshpande stated that his talk with Dhoni at Chepauk during IPL 2023 preparations inspired him immensely.
“[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 in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
He remembered how the experienced wicketkeeper supported him even after he had a costly spell in the 2023 season opener against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad.
“Mahi came to me and said: ‘You haven’t made any mistakes. You bowled all good balls. It was not your day today. In the next match repeat the same,” he recalled.
Fans and analysts frequently debate Deshpande’s high economy rate. Nevertheless, he has been tasked with delivering in challenging overs and has a talent for taking crucial wickets.
“He also stressed the importance of fitness for fast bowlers” – Tushar Deshpande on Dhoni’s impact
In another instance, Deshpande talked for hours on how every advice given by Dhoni has affected his planning and execution in cricket. The ex-captain of India told him never to deviate from his strengths when he was faced with a simulation match situation in nets.
“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. Yorker is a yorker and no one can hit you,” Deshpande said in the same interaction.
“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,” he added.
Thus, he played his first One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe on July 25th, 2024 where he conceded runs worth thirty runs and hence was selected for the next game too.
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