Former Indian opener, Robin Uthappa, narrates an interesting anecdote from his Indian Premier League (IPL) days and reveals how MS Dhoni used to play with batters’ minds. Meanwhile, Dhoni is leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023, whereas, Uthapa is in the commentary panel of the 16th edition of the league.
CSK in its two matches has won one game–the four times champions side is looking to clinch the title this time under MS Dhoni’s leadership, which can be apparently his last season in the cash-rich league.
Robin Uthappa reveals how it was annoying to play against MS Dhoni-
“When I played against CSK, I used to be very annoyed. I was very irritated with him. (Narrating an incident playing on-screen) He didn’t have a fine leg for Hazlewood, so I knew he will bowl to this angle (outside-off). I tried getting a boundary there (deep point), and got out. He forces you to play in areas where you’re not used to playing,” said former Indian cricketer.
Earlier, Dhoni became the seventh player to complete 5,000 runs in IPL history. He joined the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, David Warner, AB de Villiers, and Shikhar Dhawan. Pertinently, most of the batters in the list bat at the top of the order.
MS Dhoni is known for his finishing skills averaging almost 40 runs in IPL with a strike rate of over 135, more importantly, leading his side to four IPL titles.
MSD on fire ?
What a shot to cross 5000 runs in IPL, such an inspiration @msdhoni ??#IPL2023 #CSKvsLSG #MSDhoni @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/NakdPIOzYx— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) April 3, 2023
“He plays with batsmen’s mind. He not just forces the batsmen to think differently, he forces the bowlers to think differently as well. He puts the bowler in a situation where he feels that he need to take that wicket-taking option,” he further added.
While in the last match against Luknow Super Giants (LSG), the former Indian skipper managed his three spinners on the low bounce pitch at Chepauk Stadium, which turned out to be very crucial despite the pacer going for runs.
However, Utappa was with the CSK side for the last two seasons (2021 &22), but he took retirement before the start of the 16th edition of the IPL, while Dhoni and Robin were together in the squad of the 2007 T20 World Cup victory.
“Devdutt was playing the pick-up shot really well. So he said, ‘okay, we will force him to play that shot’, and he brought the fine leg more into a leg-gully sort of a position. I was like, ‘where does he come up with these things?’” concluded Dhoni.
Chennai Super Kings posted the mammoth total of 217 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs, with the help of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s brilliant 57 runs in 31 balls and later cameo with Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu’s in the final stage of the innings.
KL Rahul-led side looked comfortable at one stage chasing down the total before tactical strategy by the former Indian skipper helped their side defend the total in a thriller of a match.
MS Dhoni-led side will take on their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 8 in Mumbai. The five-time champions will look to register their first win in IPL 2023 against CSK.