Smith, Dhoni make Pune rise in West
Dhoni may not be Pune captain but he continues to share responsibility, says Manoj Tiwary
finishing seventh last IPL, the Rising Pune Supergiant have now reached the final with a 20-run win over Mumbai Indians in the first Qualifier at the Wankhede on Tuesday. It has been nothing short of a dream.
One of the key components in Pune’s rise has been keeping the game plan simple and clear. “The coach and the captain don’t talk too much. They talk about only specific things which are to be discussed.
“We don’t have too many meetings as well as it takes too much of time. It’s clear message – short and sharp. The players have performed very well. It is a collective effort. In the end, the players have to perform on the field no matter how much discussion and planning you do,” said Manoj Tiwary who had scored 58 on Tuesday.
“They (captain and coaching staff) made things simple for us. We always had that belief because if you don’t have that, you are already behind by 20 per cent. That belief is there and Fleming has done a good job in maintaining the atmosphere in the team. Each and every player is in a happy state of mind and when you are happy, you do well,” said Tiwary.
Although Smith’s leadership has worked well for Rising Pune Supergiant, Tiwary said MS Dhoni had shared the Australian’s workload. “Obviously, he (Smith) has been nominated as a captain and he shares what he has to with every individual. He is doing a good job, but the kind of results that we are getting it cannot be only credited to one person. Each and every one has played their part whether it is on the field or off the field by giving suggestions to him as he is not from India.
“He does not completely understand the Indian domestic players and other teams as well, so we share our ideas. Mahi bhai has been supporting very well. It is evident on the field that he (Dhoni) has been manoeuvring the field placements and keeping them in the right position while Smith is completely focused on changing the bowlers. He has too much on his plate and that way Mahi bhai is guiding each and every player to stand in the right position.”