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Sakib Hussain was one of the breakthrough talents for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the previous season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Bihar-born, who mostly served IPL teams as a net bowler, got to prove his talent for SRH in IPL 2026.
In a recent interview, the pacer claimed that it was the Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni who inspired him the most to grow as a better fast bowler over the years.
Sakib Hussain reveals how MS Dhoni helped him
Hussain revealed that he started playing cricket with proper attention because of MS Dhoni. When he was Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) net bowler, he got to get in touch with the former India captain. With Dhoni’s encouraging words during the net sessions, Sakib Hussain found the mojo to develop his bowling skills.
In the IPL 2026 season, which was his debut IPL season, Sakib Hussain picked up 15 wickets from 11 games for an economy rate of 9.45. In his debut match, he caught everyone by surprise as he secured 4 wickets for 24 runs against the Rajasthan Royals, the joint-best bowling figures by an Indian player on IPL debut. SRH won the match over the Royals by 57 runs.
“I used to bowl to Dhoni sir. He used to say that I have good talent. I will continue to do this and go ahead. He used to say that I have to do fitness and avoid injuries. Rest, I am bowling well, and everything is going well,” Sakib explained how Dhoni motivated him during his days with CSK as a net bowler.
For emerging cricketers like Sakib, Dhoni is among the icons whom they mostly watched on television screens during their childhood days. As they had never met him in person before, there are some perspectives about the person MS Dhoni. Sakib, 21, was surprised he found the legendary cricketer, one of the most followed persons in India, was so humble to the players and to him as well.
MS Dhoni is a good person: Sakib Hussain
Recalling the match, when the Sunrisers Hyderabad were up against the Chennai Super Kings, the uncapped Indian fast bowler mentioned how MS Dhoni came out on the ground after the match and greeted all of the players and the crowd.
“I liked him a lot. He is a good person and has a good mentality. I met him this year, and he recognized me. He said, how are you? Is everything okay? Is your body okay? He is a legendary player. He is recognizing me. It was a big day for me” he added.
'MS Dhoni के लिए बॉलिंग करता था' धोनी को याद कर भावुक हुए Sakib Hussain, क्या किस्सा सुनाया?
— News Pinch (@TheNewspinch) July 12, 2026
Watch full interview here:https://t.co/t4OJRkEaPs@Abhinav_Pan pic.twitter.com/nOygRbphVG
Sakib Hussain emerged as one of the key bowlers of SRH
While the batting unit of SRH was considered one of the most decorated combinations in the league, bowling was among their major concerns. In the absence of their skipper and premier pacer Pat Cummins, the team did not look properly balanced.
Ishan Kishan was the stand-in skipper during the initial stage of the IPL 2026 season, when Pat Cummins was not with the team. It was Ishan who showed the guts to include the young guns like Sakib Hussain in the playing combination. The inclusion of Sakib proved instantly effective. The seamer emerged as one of the prolific wicket-takers for the team in that season.
