MS Dhoni discusses the special abilities that set him apart, saying, “Over the last 50 years keepers have been doing the same.”
MS Dhoni discusses the special abilities that set him apart, saying, “Over the last 50 years keepers have been doing the same.” MS Dhoni is known as one of the best wicketkeepers in the world. His reputation is so strong that when Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik make a mistake, fans and commentators are quick to point out that the former India captain is not on the team. This was clear when Pant missed a crucial chance to get Sri Lanka out with a run-out at the Asia Cup 2022. In the first game of the series between India and Australia in Mohali, Karthik was also put in a similar situation. The veteran wicketkeeper missed his chance to review an LBW call.
The Dhoni Supremacy
Dhoni has set a standard for run-outs and stumpings. The former captain of India recently talked about how he learned to do them at a Livfast event. Those who know how Dhoni became a cricket legend know that he started keeping wickets when he was in school. He then did miracles for India in all three formats.
“I also started playing tennis ball cricket. When you keep wickets while playing with a tennis ball, it’s important to have soft hands. When you have hard hands, the ball slips out. So we all started from there,” the wicketkeeper-batter was quoted as saying this about his skills.
Further explaining, Dhoni said: “Over the last 50 years keepers have been doing the same. It was basic learning for me. They say in cricket that you give, i.e., when the ball is coming at you, you are supposed to receive the ball. I thought ‘why do you need to receive the ball?'”
“The gloves we have has rubber and inside the rubber there is cotton. So it’s already quite soft. So, I don’t have to give (receive), I can actually snatch the ball more often, than not.”
Record breaking stumpings
MS Dhoni’s international career ended with 829 dismissals, including 195 stumpings, which is more than any other wicketkeeper has done so far. He is also the third most successful wicketkeeper in the history of all types of cricket. Only Mark Boucher (998) and Adam Gilchrist (905) have been kicked off of “Captain Cool” more than once.