MS Dhoni swinging it like old, lighter bats script resurgence
LETHAL BATSMAN After doubts over his ability to finish games, exskipper seems to have found his attacking best
MUMBAI: MS Dhoni’s stature as one of the most destructive batsmen in the world wasn’t just built on the runs he made; it was the strike-rate that caught the imagination.
April 2004, India versus Pakistan ODI at Visakhapatnam: 148 off 123 balls; October 2005, India versus Sri Lanka ODI at Jaipur: 183* off 145 balls; February 2006 versus Pakistan ODI at Lahore: 72* off 46; February 2006 versus Pakistan ODI at Karachi: 77* off 56 balls.
Even his 91 not out in the 2011 World Cup final took just 79 balls.
However, in the last few years, Dhoni’s pace of scoring had slowed down, leading to the question whether he was close to finishing up. The 114-ball 54 at Antigua in 2017 — India couldn’t chase 189 -didn’t help. For his critics it was proof enough the legend was done, and twitteratis mocked his game.
IPL RESURGENCE
Back in CSK’S yellow this IPL, he has turned the clock back, rebutting talk of slowing reflexes. Dhoni is back to batting like he did when he first came on scene, emerging as one of the most destructive batsman of IPL 2018. Among the first questions his CSK teammates are asked now is about Dhoni’s hitting. There’s nothing copybook about his game. The technique is all ‘Made in Ranchi’. He is just letting his instinct take over.
Sources close to Dhoni say his bat swing is better and may have made the difference. He now uses bats weighing 1185 gm and 1230 gm. He is no longer hung up on using only a heavy bat. He usually uses two bats of different weights during an innings.
“Being in the later stage of his career, timing is more important. By using a lighter bat, he is getting extra time. The shot he played to finish the game against RCB (in Bangalore) showed he’s got the swing back. You can see that with a lighter bat the swing is better, like a golfer.”
Dhoni also understands the science of wood better. Batsmen are particular about having bats with more grains, but not Dhoni anymore. “He now prefers a good ping over the look. He has understood that knots and spots are also good; it’s not just about more grains.
“Ping” is the sound and bounce that comes off the sweet spot of a blade. The willow may have 16-17 grains, but if a bat with just five-six grains has that sweet sound, then it’s the one. For his unconventional game, feel is the key. It had gone missing for a long time. To be back for CSK meant a lot to Dhoni. The desire to do well for the team on return has certainly had an impact on his game. It showed in the way he prepared for this edition. Leading up to IPL 2018, he trained like a man possessed; it was difficult to get him out of the nets. That is where he discovered the old feel from his Ranchi days, when crowds filled up when they heard ‘Mahi mar raha hai’. In 10 innings, Dhoni has aggregated 360 runs, averaging 90.00 with a strike rate of 165.89.
And with knocks of 25 (12 b) vs SRH, 79* (44 b) vs KXIP, 70* (34 b) vs RCB, 26 (21 b) vs MI, 51* (22 b) vs DD and 43* (25 b) vs KKR, Dhoni is filling up stadiums again. CHANDIGARH: