Watch: After 13-years of Cricket, MS Dhoni Brings This Unique Change to His Batting
Technical play and MS Dhoni are antonyms in the dictionary of cricketing terminology. They can’t be used in the same sentence in the same context. All these years while playing as India’s biggest match winner, Dhoni has stamped his authority as one of the most successful non-technical players in world cricket.
The lack of footwork or the absence of leaning into the drives has not affected his cricketing journey one bit.
However, as they say, nothing in this world is permanent and things are bound to change. The evergreen rule of nature is also applicable on former India captain.
In his most recent net session, MS Dhoni was seen batting a completely different (and strange to his personality) kind of stance which was similar to what some of the modern day batsmen like AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla use.
He seems to be focussing to bat with a more open chested stance and in a more relaxed manner. The focus seemed to be on timing rather than power. The trigger movement was very identical to the South African duo mentioned earlier.
It was odd to watch him bat in a non-Dhoni-esque style but the open mindedness to use the idea of a technical change is commendable.
Dhoni’s tweak reminds the life a fast bowler, to be precise. The comparison might seem insensible but there a hard – hitter like Dhoni is very similar to a fast bowler who relies more on his speed and strength rather than guile and technique like spinners and swing bowlers.
As age catches up, the fast bowlers, regardless of their effort to improve their fitness, tend to focus more on swing and accuracy than just raw pace.
Dhoni has also spent his batting career more like a fast bowler who gives in his all. All these years, he has been the master of the brute play. But, with hints of his old charm fading away becoming more and more visible, he seems to be experimenting with other possible options to keep his value in the team the same as it was the before.
And, why should he not?
The Indian team continues to be hyper competitive. Skipper Virat Kohli, coach Ravi Shastri and the selection panel led by MSK Prasad have declared that only the fittest and the better performing names will survive in the future.
While young names can opt for a blunder or two and still make a comeback, Dhoni, aged 36 and living under constant debate surrounding his role in the current team, cannot afford to underperform till the time he is around.
It can be a bit over analytical to discuss a practice session with such depth but it will be very exciting to see him bat in a more technique driven way using this new stance.
watch the change in technique here:
The cut, leave, drive, slog, upper cut, pull – @msdhoni batting session #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/Q8flfP8wv4
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 19, 2017
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MS Dhoni
