Video: MS Dhoni Throws Out Instructions To Bowlers And Fielders During Second ODI

After playing a big role in the first One-Day International in Chennai both from in front and behind of the stumps, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was once again in thick of actions during the second game at Eden Gardens on Thursday (September 21) which India won by 50 runs to take  a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Defending a modest 253, India were off to a bright start  with Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissing both Australian openers- Hilton Cartwright and David Warner cheaply. However, Steve Smith and Travis Head steadied the ship for the visitors by sharing a fifty-plus stand. With wickets hard to come by, Dhoni then jumped into action from behind the stumps as he was heard shouting out instructions not only to the bowlers but also to the fielders.

The first instance was seen when Yuzvendra Chahal came to bowl the 15th over. Dhoni was heard instructing Hardik Pandya to take back a couple of steps as perhaps he anticipated that Smith would go for big shot after collecting just 1 run off the first three balls of the over.

“Do kadam piche rahna (Stay back a couple of steps),”  Dhoni told Pandya.

Here is the video showing Dhoni instructing Pandya:

https://twitter.com/84107010ghwj/status/911099919951261701

Another instance was witnessed in the 23rd over when Yuzvendra Chahal came to bowl at Glenn Maxwell. With the ball turning square, Dhoni told the leg-spinner:“Ball jyada ghumega to dande me daal dena (If the ball turns a lot, bowl at the stumps).”

The move paid rich dividend as Maxwell was flummoxed by one straight delivery and Dhoni made no mistake in stumping him out.

https://twitter.com/84107010ghwj/status/911099509177847808

Even after the match finished, Kuldeep Yadav, who took a hat-trick in the game, revealed how Dhoni helped him to bowl the hat-trick ball without much nervousness.

“Not really (could never dream it). Initially I was struggling to bowl in a particular area. It’s a game of cricket, everything happens. Last match, where I was hit for three sixes in an over, was a learning experience. Asked Mahi bhai what I should bowl, he said ‘tujhe jaisa lagta hai wo daal (bowl what you want)’. This is special for me, changed the game for us. Really proud moment,” Kuldeep said after the game.