New Delhi: It has been more than a couple of years that Tushar Deshpande has spent with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni) at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and has certainly made the most of the opportunity by learning the tricks from one of the sharpest minds in cricket. Deshpande recently revealed all about how Dhoni played a huge role in shaping him for the big stage through the IPL.
Despite CSK winning their fifth title in the IPL 2023, the season is remembered for being full of injuries for the Chennai-based franchise. It was at such a time that Deshpande got to show his bowling prowess, which secured his spot in the team. CSK’s pace attack suffered a huge setback with the likes of Ben Stokes, Deepak Chahar, Sisanda Magala, Simarjeet Singh, and Mukesh Choudhary sidelined due to injuries.
Deshpande carried the responsibility on his shoulders alongside youngsters like Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Matheesha Pathirana, and Akash Singh. He was successful as he took 21 wickets in 16 matches at an economy rate of 9.92. Deshpande seemed to be getting under tremendous pressure whenever he was to bowl an over. However, Dhoni had a mantra for the Maharashtra-born pacer.
“You have everything to succeed at the international level. But you have to be calm during your run-up. Don’t get distracted by the crowd. Just take a deep breath, stay calm, and bowl.’ If Mahi tells you that you have everything to be successful at the international level, boss, that itself is an achievement,” Deshpande spoke to ESPNCricinfo as quoted by ANI.
‘Stick to strengths’ – Dhoni to Deshpande
Deshpande suffered a setback when CSK faced IPL 2022 winners Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad as he was too expensive but Dhoni nonetheless encouraged him to keep going. “Mahi came to me and said, ‘You haven’t made any mistakes. You bowled all good balls. It was not your day today. In the next match repeat the same,” Deshpande said.
Deshpande has been vital for CSK in taking wickets at crucial points in a match. He went on to reveal another instance when Dhoni’s advice had a huge impact on him. In a net session, Dhoni asked him to “stick to his strengths and believe in himself.” The simple yet strong message moved Deshpande.
“I was bowling good yorkers, but suddenly I bowled a bouncer and got hit for a 100-metre six. He asked me, ‘Kyun daala bouncer?’ (Why did you bowl the bouncer?) I told him I thought he (batter) was expecting the yorker. He told me, ‘Don’t play cricket in mind. Yorker is a yorker and no one can hit you,’” Deshpande noted.
More advice followed for Deshpande as Dhoni asked him to keep trying to play ahead of the game instead of staying in the present and he also asked him to work on his fitness, which is important for pacers. The 29-year-old was ultimately rewarded for his good outings in IPL and domestic cricket as he earned an India call-up and debuted for the Men in Blue in the Zimbabwe T20I series in July this year.
Chennai Super Kings were on a perilous run in the IPL 2023 due to an injury-hit pace setup during which Tushar Deshpande got the responsibility of leading the bowling attack. Here’s how MS Dhoni helped him calm down his nerves. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
