Table of Contents
Former Indian captain MS Dhoni was not just a great leader and batter but also a brilliant guide for bowlers. His sharp understanding of the game and ability to read batters from behind the stumps made him extremely important for Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.
The Indian leg-spinner has now opened up about Dhoni’s huge contribution to their success during a conversation with Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel. He also recalled a special moment from India’s 2018 tour of South Africa when Dhoni’s advice helped him take five wickets in an ODI. Earlier, Yuvraj Singh reveals how Sourav Ganguly offered him Delhi Capitals coaching job.
Yuzvendra Chahal reveals how MS Dhoni made his and Kuldeep Yadav’s job 50% easier
Yuzvendra Chahal explained that MS Dhoni made things much easier for him and Kuldeep Yadav because he could closely observe the pitch and the batters from behind the stumps. He revealed that Dhoni often advised them to keep bowling at the stumps and trust their skills.
Chahal has further shared that Dhoni’s experience helped the two spinners understand what was happening in a match and how they could get wickets. Dhoni would notice the batter’s movements and suggest small changes in the bowling plan, helping them become one of India's most effective spin combinations in white-ball cricket.
Yuzvendra Chahal told Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, "50% mera or Kuldeep ka kaam asaan hi hojaata tha, kyunki ek toh wo piche se dekh rahe ki wicket kaisa chl rha hai with experience, piche se bol rahe ki stump pe hi rakhna zyada krne ki zarurat nahi hai, waise hi out ho jaate the batters. (MS Dhoni made things almost 50% easier for Kuldeep and me. With his experience, he could read the pitch from behind the stumps and guide us accordingly. He would tell us to keep bowling at the stumps and not try anything unnecessary. The batters would get out on their own if we followed that advice.)”
How MS Dhoni’s advice helped Yuzvendra Chahal dismiss JP Duminy
Yuzvendra Chahal also recalled the second ODI against South Africa at Centurion in February 2018, where he delivered a brilliant performance with figures of 5/22. Dhoni played an important role in the dismissal of South African batter JP Duminy during that match.
Dhoni advised him to keep the ball near the stumps and change his pace according to the situation. When Duminy started looking to play the sweep shot, Chahal slowed down his delivery. The change worked perfectly, as Duminy was trapped leg-before-wicket.
His five-wicket haul, along with Kuldeep Yadav’s three wickets, helped India bowl South Africa out for just 118 runs. India then chased down the target and won the match by nine wickets. Amid this, Sunil Gavaskar furious with Shamar Joseph after Arshdeep Singh incident.
The leg-spinner added, “Jab maine Centurion me 2018 me five wickets liya tha, tab JP Duminy batting kar rahe the toh unhone (Dhoni) bol diya tha ki yuzi stump pe hi rakhiyo, pace apne hisaab se change krta rahiyo, wo dusri teesri ball me sweep maarne maine ball dhire dala or wo lbw out ho gaye. Toh unka bht yogdaan h wo on-field coach the hamare bowling.
(“When I took five wickets in Centurion in 2018, JP Duminy was batting. Dhoni told me to keep bowling at the stumps and keep changing my pace as needed. When Duminy tried to play the sweep shot on the second or third ball, I bowled a slower delivery, and he was dismissed LBW. Dhoni made a huge contribution to our success. He was like an on-field coach for our bowling unit.)”
Yuzvendra Chahal reveals how MS Dhoni’s retirement affected him
Yuzvendra Chahal also admitted that Dhoni’s retirement made a difference to him and Kuldeep. However, Dhoni had already prepared both spinners to handle situations on their own.
He added, “Umhone hame mature bna diya tha ki hame pta h kya krna h, but han definitely fark toh pda hi tha, but unhone mujhe or Kuldeep ko prepare kr diya tha.”
Dhoni did 50% of our job—Yuzi Chahal Lava presents Baith & Bol is streaming on YouTube, Facebook and Spotify. #aakashvani #Baithandbol #yuzichahal #Collab #Dhoni https://t.co/vqVEciPCYG
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 15, 2026
