Former Indian cricketer, as well as cricket expert Mohammad Kaif, believes that it is too early to write off MS Dhoni as he is still one of the best finishers in the game. The veteran has been impressed with the bat so far in the opening two games. He has scored 66 runs so far at a fantastic strike rate of 150 and is yet to be dismissed as well. And, Kaif feels this could the season where Dhoni is back to his old form.
While speaking to Sportskeeda on the show ‘SK Match ki Baat’, Mohammad Kaif said: “Dhoni is not finished, he is a finisher. People have said his time his over and this could be his last IPL, but look at how he has batted, remaining not-out in both innings. This year we might see the Dhoni that we knew who used to start hitting boundaries from ball one.”
He again added: “He has left the captaincy on paper and there may not be under much pressure. So we might see the free-flowing Dhoni who used to hit the ball out of the stadium. The conditions are good, Maharashtra have good wickets and he will get pace and the way he hit that first ball six, shows that he is in good form. You will never be able to know what is going on in Dhoni’s mind. If we talk about this IPL, there is a game after two days but Dhoni suddenly decides that Jadeja will be the captain. He is still fit and is scoring runs so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
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Mohammad Kaif also opened up about how different players approach Dhoni to learn from him and how the veteran is always ready to share his knowledge and help them as well. However, he also believes that the CSK were in control against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) until they decided to give Shivam Dube the responsibility to bowl the penultimate over.
He added: “Dhoni will not respond to messages on phone, but when on ground, you can talk to him about cricket and learn from your mistakes. He is basically an open book and a master of his trade as many go to him to learn.”
He again shared. “Evin Lewis doesn’t play spin well. You had three overs of Moeen Ali left but you still didn’t use him. Mumbai had left Lewis because he doesn’t play spin that well. He will always smash the faster bowlers for a six. Not giving Moeen Ali the ball was a mistake and this wasn’t Jadeja’s decision, he is still learning. Even now, the decisions are taken by MS Dhoni.”
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Mohammad Kaif further added that despite the two losses, there will still be no panic in the CSK dressing room because of the presence of MS Dhoni.
“The dressing room atmosphere of CSK will still be normal despite the two losses. Although Dhoni is not the captain on paper, only he is seen doing the leading role. He taught Jadeja a lot in the last game and although they lost, there will be his calming influence. Punjab have at least some points on the board but Chennai are in a spot of bother. They have lost two from two and are not used to such a start. Their team also looks a bit weak. Batting is still fine but bowling needs a lot of improvement,” Mohammed Kaif concluded
