Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has revealed the profound influence that former captain MS Dhoni has had on him, confessing that he often remains silent in Dhoni’s presence. Despite Chahal’s reputation for his lively personality and humorous antics, the leg-spinner admitted that he becomes tongue-tied around the legendary cricketer.
In a recent interview on ‘The Ranveer Show,’ Chahal shared, “He (MS Dhoni) is the only person; unke saamne aate hi meri bolti bandh ho jaati hai” (As soon as I am in front of him, my words disappear). Regardless of my mood, I prefer to stay quiet and only respond if Mahi bhai (Dhoni) asks something. Otherwise, I maintain silence.”
Chahal’s revelation sheds light on the deep respect and admiration he holds for Dhoni. Despite his jovial nature, the leg-spinner recognizes Dhoni’s immense stature in the cricketing world and values the opportunity to learn from him.
Having represented India in 72 ODIs and 75 T20Is, Chahal has enjoyed a successful international career. His impressive record includes 121 ODI wickets and 91 T20I wickets, making him a valuable asset for the Indian team. Moreover, Chahal holds the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with 187 wickets in 147 matches.
Chahal also shared a memorable incident during a T20 match against South Africa when he had an “off day” and conceded 64 runs in his four overs. Despite the setback, it was Dhoni who offered support and motivated him to stay focused on the team’s goals.
Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on his bond with MS Dhoni
Recalling the incident, Chahal said, “We were playing a T20 match against South Africa in Centurion. For the first time, I was hit for 64 runs in four overs. (Heinrich) Klaasen was hammering me, so he asked me whether I would bowl around the wicket. I said okay, but then Klaasen hit me for a six. I was walking back when Mahi bhai came to me and told me, ‘Aaj tere din nahi hai, koi baat Nahi (Today is not your day, it’s okay). But he told me that on the five balls that I have left, I should try not to concede a boundary on those as that will help the team. From that experience, I realized that even if you have an off day, you can still support the team.”
Chahal’s revelation highlights the invaluable mentorship and encouragement he has received from Dhoni. It showcases the leadership qualities and ability of Dhoni to uplift and motivate his teammates even in challenging situations.
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