IPL 2020: ‘He curbed his natural instinct’ – Sanjay Bangar explains how MS Dhoni became ‘a great finisher’

Current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and former Indian National Team captain MS Dhoni is considered to be one of the greatest finishers the game of cricket has ever seen. With his consistency, unerring shot-making and confidence, Dhoni became the epitome of a good finisher in cricket through the course of his career.

While Dhoni is known for starting off slow, picking up quick singles and doubles before going ballistic, that was not the case at the time of his debut. In his initial years, the wicket-keeper batsman demonstrated a fearless, brash and attacking form of cricket where he would start hitting from the word ‘go’.

It was after he was appointed captain that Dhoni became more patient and calculated in his approach to batting. While his best days are behind him right now with CSK struggling in the IPL, there is no denying that Dhoni is a great of the game.

‘It is the process that MS Dhoni follows’ – Sanjay Bangar

Sanjay Bangar, the former batting coach of India has revealed an interesting anecdote about how Dhoni began curbing his naturally attacking nature.

“I came to know recently as to how – in his formative years, because he is such a hitter of the ball, has that natural ability to clear – Dhoni curbed his natural instinct. He used to write on his thigh pad – 1, 2 – Tick Tick and 4, 6 – Cross Cross,” Bangar said on Star Sports.

“So every time he would go out to bat, and he’d be putting on his thigh pad, he’d probably have a look at that. It would remind him that he has to follow a process. And that is how by running those one and two he became such a great finisher.”

Bangar then said that it was Dhoni’s ability to take quick singles and twos that made him the ‘best finisher in the world’. “Most finishers in world cricket have realised the importance of singles, doubles. You look at Michael Bevan, look at MS Dhoni. They have this thing in common, which helps them win cricket matches. It’s not those fours and sixes. And that is the process that MS Dhoni follows,” he said.

Bagar also spoke as to how Dhoni can overcome his struggles with the bat in this year’s IPL. He said, “What I have seen so far of MS Dhoni in this season is that he’s stopped doing his pre-delivery movements. Because of that he’s slightly late on the ball and when you’re 38-39, you have to give that extra bit of time when you’re playing pace bowlers in excess of 140-145. If he starts getting that extra slit of a second again, the ball will start connecting the middle of his bat.”

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