MS Dhoni and Steve Smith; Does A Dedicated Field Setting Wicket Keeper Make The Captaincy Outshine

With the culmination of Indian Premier League (IPL) Season 10, although the denouement went onto the favour of the Rohit Sharma led side Mumbai Indians but the odyssey steered by the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise had been phenomenal throughout this year’s T20 spectacle. The brouhaha shaped up causing the gambled tried by RPS management through the shocking change of guards for his Pune side. The promotion of Steve Smith in the shoes of skipper MS Dhoni had lit the fire of denunciation from the people’s end. Later on the closure of latest edition of IPL alluded to the riddle that arouses people’s mind whether Dhoni’s impetus in RPS can be reckoned as disguised skipper in the shadow of Steve Smith.

There were myriad of occasions where we have witnessed the skipper Smith rushed to Dhoni for advice but such scenarios don’t really substantiate the former captain in his disguised phase except the finale of IPL 10. With the commencement of finale the crowd gone mad as after a long interval they have witnessed Dhoni as his disguised captain cool avatar. Although Smith was carrying the name of captain but he on the other side was wittingly camouflaging the essence of real skipper hood for RPS.

Starting from the first ball of the finale, Smith and Dhoni seemed quite well resonated with the tone of game progression. Just like the way Dhoni in their first playoffs battle against MI dominated the whole game with his match winning knock and his gloves show behind the stump and left the ground carrying the burden of RPS on a victorious manner, in the finale as well it seemed like Dhoni with his jocks stepped in front from the left zone of previous game against MI paltans.

The field settlements especially for the wicket of West Indies biggie Pollard, the selection of bowlers like spinning sensation Ferguson and the combination along with they have kick started their brawl for finale were clearly witnessed as preconceived plan from Dhoni’s end. Without the presence of his witty sense of firing, such sort of batting collapse of MI stars couldn’t have been possible.

Dhoni’s impetus on cricketing field was praised by most of the cricket legends along with his own team mates. RPS batsman Manoj Tiwary after the Qualifier 1 was seen bragging the credibility of Dhoni and the benefits they had received for having Dhoni like cricketing legend in their side.

The momentum shifted during the last two overs. We were struggling to get that until the 18th, 19th and 20th over where Mahi bhai played some outstanding shots. It was not easy against Bumrah, but he showed why he is such a highly-talented player.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?-Manoj Tiwary

Apart from that, he (Manoj Tiwary) also pointed out few instances of RPS’s rescue mission firmly managed by Dhoni in this edition of IPL 10. The uprising of RPS in the points table for securing the spot for playoffs had been surprisingly manhandled by the former Indian captain. His inputs overall in this IPL had been the reason why RPS consummated the IPL journey being runner up this season. The captain Steve Smith also seemed considering Dhoni as his guide especially in situations where Smith led side were running in adversities.

Mahi bhai has been supporting him (Smith) 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.

-Manoj Tiwary

From this above statement, it has been quite explicit that the RPS management might appointed Steve Smith as their captain sidelining MS Dhoni but the role of a pivot was entirely given to Dhoni as his in field qualities always caught eyeballs around the globe.