Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pace bowler Khaleel Ahmed shared an important advice he received from MS Dhoni when he asked him for guidance on his role in the team before the 2025 IPL season as well. He also said that the former CSK captain urged him to work on his inswinging deliveries as well. CSK acquired Khaleel for ₹4.80 crores in the 2025 IPL auction as well.
Khaleel told Revsportz: “It is an absolute honor. He (Dhoni) was there during the preparatory camp, 25 days before the start of the IPL and I went to him to personally get clarity on how I see myself in the team so he gave me tips on how I can improve my skills and asked me to practice my in-swinger. I did that continuously for 20 straight days as per his instruction.”
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“And playing with him is like — he lets me make my own decisions on the ground. At times when I have approached him asking if I can bowl a certain way in a certain situation, he has shown that confidence in me and let me play my own game. And then no matter the result, his reaction has remained the same. Also, him being the wicketkeeper, witnessing so many angles and types of balls from behind the wicket, showing confidence in my choice of bowling style, has made me feel like I too have the capability of deciding what’s right and what’s wrong on the ground,” he shared again.
However, Khaleel Ahmed also feels he deserves to play for India in the shorter formats as well, thanks to his stunning shows in the IPL. Before his 15-wicket season in 2025, he picked up 17 wickets last year for the Delhi Capitals (DC) as well.
“Talking about white-ball cricket, the IPL is a tough competition, even in the foreigners quota, the top ones play so If I am able to bowl dot balls on the flat Chennai pitch then I believe I have the ability to represent India. If I can make my name shine and prove myself on those wickets as a domestic player, competing against foreigners who represent their countries, then I believe I deserve to play for India,” Khaleel Ahmed concluded.
