CSK vs KKR: I Just Try To Imitate MS Dhoni - Sheldon Jackson On His Wicketkeeping

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wicketkeeper-batter Sheldon Jackson said MS Dhoni has been his inspiration and looked up to him in terms of keeping behind the wickets. KKR defeated CSK by six wickets in the IPL 2022 opener at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

KKR spinners bowled brilliantly to restrict Ravindra Jadeja and his men to a below-par score of 131 in the first innings. Opener Ajinkya Rahane set the tone for the chase with his brisk 34-ball 44 which included six fours and a six at a strike rate of 129.41. KKR completed the chase with nine balls to spare with skipper Shreyas Iyer unbeaten on 20 along with Jackson (3*).

I have a lot to learn from MS Dhoni: Sheldon Jackson

In the first innings, CSK batter Robin Uthappa attempted to flick KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy but slipped down the leg as Jackson did an amazing glovework to dislodge the stumps to remove a dangerous Uthappa, who looked threatening with 28 from 21 balls.

Jackson credited Dhoni for inspiring him to keep the wickets and the Saurashtra player admitted that he often imitates the CSK stalwart’s glovework.

“He always has been my inspiration. I always looked up to him (MS Dhoni) and whatever he does, I just try to imitate it and I have a lot to look and a lot to learn from him. Learning a lot and picking up quite a lot from him actually,” Jackson told the official broadcasters after KKR’s victory against CSK on Saturday.

CSK vs KKR: In the start, I had nerves: Sheldon Jackson

Jackson, who kept the wickets ahead of England’s Sam Billings, was playing in an IPL game after a hiatus of five years, the last time he played for KKR was against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2017 in Bengaluru. The KKR wicketkeeper said he was nervous before the game but the backing from the coaching staff eased his pressure.

“In the start I had nerves, but the management and coaching staff are brilliant. They helped me to calm down, they backed me and I am very grateful to them,” the 35-year-old admitted. 

KKR will play their next match against RCB on March 30 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Also Read: CSK vs KKR: MS Dhoni Spoke About Passing On Captaincy To Ravindra Jadeja Last Season: Stephen Fleming