Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina recently shared an intriguing story about his former captain MS Dhoni’s bowling skills. While Dhoni is widely known for his batting and wicketkeeping abilities, he has also dabbled in bowling during his international career. Raina revealed that facing Dhoni in the nets was particularly challenging because if he managed to dismiss you, he wouldn’t let you forget it for days.
Raina, who retired from international cricket at the same time as Dhoni in August 2020, praised the skills of renowned bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga as the toughest he has faced. However, when it came to the nets, Dhoni posed the greatest challenge. Raina shared his experience on JioCinema’s Home of Heroes, saying, If he got you out in the nets, then you wouldn’t be able to sit with him for one and a half months because he’d keep gesturing and remind you how he got you out.
Dhoni’s competitiveness extended to his bowling as well. Raina revealed that Dhoni would bowl off-spin, medium pace, leg spin, and every other variety in the nets. He even justified his front foot no-balls during practice sessions. Raina described Dhoni’s passion for swinging the ball during Test matches, mentioning that he would go all out in England, giving his best performance.
Raina also shared his close bond with Dhoni during their time together at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Raina disclosed that he had received several offers to play for other teams in the IPL, but it was Dhoni who persuaded him to stay at CSK. Raina spoke about their conversations, saying, Dhoni bhai would say don’t go elsewhere, I am the captain and you are the vice-captain. Raina expressed his commitment to being a team player and his desire to help his teammates and contribute to the team’s success.
The article demonstrates the strong influence that Dhoni had on several Indian cricketers’ careers, including Raina, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shikhar Dhawan. With Dhoni as their captain, these players flourished and established themselves as some of the best in the world in their respective formats.
Dhoni’s impact goes beyond his skills on the field. His leadership and ability to nurture talent have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Players who worked with him recognize his role in their development and credit him for their success.
Overall, Raina’s story highlights Dhoni’s versatility as a cricketer and his impactful presence as a captain. Dhoni’s competitive spirit and determination to excel in every aspect of the game have left a lasting impression on his teammates and opponents alike. His legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers is cemented not only by his batting and wicketkeeping prowess but also by the impact he made on the careers of those who played with him.
