MS Dhoni always knew his strengths and backed himself, credits Deep Dasgupta
Dhoni retired from international cricket on Saturday
|BCCI
Deep Dasgupta has credited MS Dhoni for always knowing his strength with both the bat and behind the stumps and backing himself every single time. The former Indian keeper also added that Dhoni was easily the most cerebral cricketer that he has met while appreciating his ‘evident’ X factor.
When MS Dhoni stomped his mark on Indian cricket, he brought a different style of gameplay to the fore which was alien to the country’s cricketing classics. Starting from the way he swung his bat to connect with the ball to his keeping behind the stumps, the Jharkhand man’s technique was unusually effective.
Having witnessed the keeper from close quarters, former Indian keeper Deep Dasgupta credited the 39-year-old as one who always knew his strengths and backed himself at all occasions. After being run-out in just his first ODI, Dhoni went on to turn a new page in India’s cricketing history, with over 16,000 international runs for the Men in Blue. But more importantly, he left the country with some historic images, becoming the first skipper to win three ICC trophies.
"Also, he was very sure of his hitting areas. He always preferred hitting straight down the ground, and throughout his career, you would hardly find him hitting across. He is the only 'keeper I know who didn't sweep. So he knew his strengths and backed himself," Dasgupta, who played with and against Dhoni in East Zone and Ranji Trophy, told Firstpost.
The Bengal man also noted that Dhoni’s journey from a young 20-year-old to becoming India’s greatest wicketkeeper is a great learning curve for everyone. Admitting that there was always a slight edge to his game, Dasgupta opined that the CSK skipper is easily one of the most cerebral cricketers that he has come across, who has not budged away from his identity despite adjustments.
"We knew he had this X factor; it was very evident. His journey from a young 20-something to now is a great learning in itself for everyone. From zonal cricket to Ranji Trophy to India, his game continued to evolve. He is easily the most cerebral cricketer I have come across in my life. He never changed who he was while making those adjustments," he added.
Recollecting his first memory of the right-handed wicketkeeper, The 43-year-old added that Dhoni was busy doing what he does best - hitting big sixes against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy encounter. On top of that, the former Indian star also heaped praises on the Jharkhand man for not losing his strengths while continually working on his weakness.
"The first time I heard of him was in 2002-03 ahead of a Bengal versus Bihar Ranji Trophy game. Some of our Bengal boys had seen him before at a KSCA tournament in Bangalore, where he did what he did best - hitting really big sixes. He never really lost that strength. A lot of players lose their strengths while working on their weaknesses, but Dhoni was different. He is a perfect example of using your strength as a foundation to build your game."
