Stephen Fleming Reveals the Secret to Dhoni’s Form

CSK captain MS Dhoni has had a supreme run of form in IPL 2018 so far. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has admitted that the former India captain had begun training for the Indian Premier League long before his Chennai Super Kings teammates. He postulated that that was the reason behind Dhoni’s rise in form.

MS Dhoni wound the clock backwards this IPL, playing with the same intensity and style that he was famous for. So far this season, Dhoni has notched up 413 runs at a rate of 103.25 with three fifties in 12 matches of this edition.

?Probably mentally more intent, he practised hard before the tournament. He practised a long time, got in before any of us arrived. He had a lot of balls, had a huge volume of balls, been concentrated on his intent,? Fleming said after CSK’s victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.

?If anything, he has probably lacked intent around his singles. (But) As soon as he hits (big shots), he plays with a 100% commitment. Even the way he starts now is very positive, his footwork is very positive, his finishing has come into the zone again. So it?s been great to watch, a lot of hard work to get there and I admire him for doing that,? Fleming added.

Stephen Fleming also spoke about Dhoni’s struggles against deliveries outside the off-stump. The Kiwi replied that it was a weakness for most players.? He also admired his clear thought process and decision-making.

?There was a period when he was having to combat good bowling plans and now he has done that with good presence of mind, fitness and obviously a strong technique to back that up so he has almost got a second life. He is incredibly confident about what he can do and that?s always a great thing for us and dangerous for a death bowler,? he added.

CSK

next face the Delhi Daredevils on Friday on the latter’s home turf on May 18.